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MEMOIR 



WITH SERMONS, 



OF 



REV. JOSIAH PBBT 



MEMOIR, 



WITH SERMONS, 



REV. JOSIAH PEET 



/ / 



REV. DAVID 3EIEPLEY 



/ 

S 



Prayer ardent opens Heaven.— Young. 




NEW YORK: 
JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER, 49 ANN STREET. 

M.DCCC.LIV. 



BX7zk>o 
"P4-7S5- 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S54. by 
MES. SAEAH A PEET, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of 



^^nso^-fc 



«fl Ira. Sm\ &. |ttt. 

Affection for yourself, not less than reverence and love for 

your late husband, has rendered pleasant the labor of [preparing 

this memorial. To you whose is the property in the work, and 

who know, far better than another can tell, the varied and many 

excellencies of the subject of it, and who largely contributed. 

during all the years of his public life, to his happiness, honor. 

and usefulness, it is humbly dedicated, by your much and long 

obliged friend, 

THE COMPILER. 



CONTENTS. 



MEMOIR, 
L — Peetious to ms Sett tvxv nt at NoggrocaEwocK, . . 7 

II. AT XoEETDGEWOCE: RATE THE TIME. 

HI. — At 1~ took titeee.fofeths the time. . . 51 

IT. — Hi? Missionaey Laboes, ...... 

V. — At Xoeeid&ewoce: the tvhole time 7£ 

VI. — His last Sicsness and his Death, . . . . 18 

VH.— His Chaeactee and feirENCE, 130 

VILL. — Feom his Occasional and FeaCtMENtaey "^"eitin&s, . 16s 

IX. — His Legacy to the Chtechz- :: rS : eebsbt, . , . /- 

S E R M ; N - 



I. — God Incompeehensibly Gee at Soon, . . . _ 

n. — Cheist tee Satioee of the Lost 1 > 

HI. — Benevolence of the Divtne Eyposttlations wi 

SlHHKBS, _.- 

IV. — The Saceedness or a Houss :t Wobship, . . .1 
V. — The Impossibility of Seevtng- God jlkd Mammos. . 25fi 

VI. — The Doctelnes of the C: - . . . 1". 

VH. — The Peedls and the Safety of the Chtech. 
Mil. — Afflictions an Aid in the 'VVay to Heaven 
IX. — The Beueyee's Remembeance of Cheist. 
X. — The Buss of the Beltevzj. Coke . 33S 



MEMOIR 



MEMOIR OF REY. JOSIAH PEET 



CHAPTER I. 

FROM HIS BIRTH TO THE TIME OF HIS SETTLEMENT AT 
NORRIDGEWOCK. 

The Christian minister, who, in the first half of the 
nineteenth century, has, for the space of near forty 
years, held one of the more intelligent congrega- 
tions of New England, is, by this fact, distinguished 
from the greater part of his brethren in the same 
work. And if, during that period, his ministry has, 
more and more, commended itself to his people, as 
shining with a strong and steady radiance, and, not- 
withstanding that they may not have been insen- 
sible to the infirmities and disabilities consequent 
necessarily upon age, they have still to the last, in- 
creasingly revered, trusted and loved him ; he must 
have been, in some respects, a remarkable man, 
possessing capital elements for influence. The life 



8 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

of such a minister can scarcely fail to be instructive 
and profitable ; and the more so, if he has gained, 
and retained his power over his people, by main- 
taining for himself the favorable verdict of their 
good sense and their piety, and not by gratifying 
their pride ; if his success has been attributable to 
no brilliant parts, but only to the possession of such 
qualities as most ministers may hope, by the Divine 
grace, to obtain. Perhaps the man has never lived, 
who, more rigidly than the subject of this memoir, 
adhered to the inspired maxim : " Let another man 
praise thee, and not thine own mouth ; a stranger, 
and not thine own lips." Now that he is gone 
far away from the scenes in which he has long 
moved, it is lawful for his friends, for such as come 
after him in the momentous work of the Christian 
ministry, and for all the good, to seek profit from 
his example. This narrative is, however, to be re- 
garded chiefly as a monumental tribute, having its 
origin in the affection of the family and particular 
friends of its subject. The design is, in these chapters 
to trace his general course through life, in such con- 
nections, and with such materials, as are best adapt- 
ed to illustrate the character of his personal piety. 
For this it was, as will be found, which gave dis- 
tinction to the late Pastor of Norriclgewock and 
spiritual Patriarch of the county of Somerset. 



SETTLEMENT AT NORRIDGEWOCK. » 

Josiali Peet was born in Bethlehem, Connecticut, 
June 21, IT 80. He was the last born of the chil- 
dren of Benjamin Peet. His grandfather's name was 
Richard Peet. His great-grandfather, Benjamin 
Peet, emigrated from England, and became one of 
the first settlers of Stratford, Connecticut. His 
mother was Elizabeth Hendee, daughter of Joshua 
Hendee, through the maternal line of ancestry, a 
descendant of the well-known family of Huntington, 
at Norwich, and niece of Eleazer Wheelock, foun- 
der, and first President, of Dartmouth College. He 
had three brothers, of whom Abijah and Wheelock 
lived to rear families ; and three sisters, all of whom 
were married while he was yet young. His father, 
when he was six years of age, removed from Con- 
necticut, and established himself, with his family, at 
West Haven, Vermont. During several years of 
his minority, Josiah resided in the family of his 
brother, Abijah, on a farm in Fair Haven. As a 
youth, he was remarkable for truth, conscientious- 
ness, and fidelity. It was enough, if he was once 
instructed in what was expected from him. How- 
ever varied or numerous the particular duties de- 
volved on him, each one, it was certain, would re- 
ceive his attention. At twenty years of age, he be- 
came hopefully the subject of renewing grace; and 
soon after, a member of the Congregational church 



10 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

in Fair Haven. Previous to his indulging hope of 
pardon through Christ, it pleased God, the better 
to prepare him for his own service, to give hini, for 
along time, most clear and distressing views of 
the enmity, malignity, and utter vileness of the hu- 
man heart, and of the sinner's entire helplessness 
and dependence on sovereign mercy. He seemed to 
be never after a man of the world. Two years sub- 
sequently, persuaded it was his duty, he could not 
be satisfied without an effort to prepare himself to 
preach the everlasting Gospel, and labor to pluck 
souls, as brands from the burnings. There were for- 
midable obstacles to be met and overcome. He had 
lived twenty-two years without literary habits ; his 
health seemed to be precarious; he was without 
patrimony, and without friends who could materially 
aid him. Education Societies, then, did not exist. 
But his mind was settled. He applied himself to 
study, and became a member of the class which, 
in the autumn of 1804, entered Middlebury College. 
Here he was reputed a young man of correct taste, 
a well balanced mind, respectable scholarship, and 
great moral worth. He experienced, uniformly, pa- 
ternal kindness from his instructors, was universally 
beloved by his fellow students, and esteemed in the 
community at Middlebury. 

But his college life was spent in almost incessant 



SETTLEMENT AT NORRIDGEWOCK. 11 

struggles, of great severity, with poverty, impaired 
health, and mental disquietudes. Several times he 
was, for weeks, prostrated by sickness. To obtain 
the means of support, we find him each year ab- 
sent from college, for about four months, employed 
as a teacher of youth. He saw the great advantages 
that are consequent upon early literary training; 
and could but lament what he regarded as his own 
lost years. He had a mind that could readily ap- 
preciate decided scholarship, the power of easy 
and rapid acquisition, the workings of commanding 
intellect and splendid genius; and he was ever 
prone to be dissatisfied with himself. In the schools 
and in professional life, we usually find the happy 
and self-complacent ; and those who highly appre- 
ciate excellence, and plainly show that they would 
be glad to exhibit more of it, if it were in their 
power. Mr. Peet belonged to the last-named class. 
It is doubtful whether, while in college, or at any 
subsequent period, any effort of his was entirely ap- 
proved to his own mind. 

Still, poverty, ill health, and what he regarded as 
his intellectual deficiencies, occasioned him sufferings 
far less severe, than those he experienced from ap- 
prehensions that his pride was not subdued, and 
that his heart was in a state of insurrection against 
his Maker. 



12 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

In March of the year 1806, he commenced a reg- 
ular journal, which he continued, with slight inter- 
ruptions, till the close of life. Some extracts will 
illustrate the preceding statements, and develope 
his spiritual experience. From the 29th of March 
to the 18th of April, he was sick of typhus fever. 
Under the date of July 14th of that year, he writes 
thus: 

Being sensible that I have, for some time past, indulged my- 
self in too much levity and vain conversation, I do this day re- 
solve "before God. that with his grace assisting, I will endeavor 
to he more circumspect and sober minded. 

August 12th. Received news that my father was at the point of 
death, and desired me to go home. Accordingly, I left college 
and went home ; but found my father better. He soon so far 
recovered that I returned to college, not, however, without anxi- 
ety from various sources. 

November. Subject to despondence, arising from the embar- 
rassments of my pecuniary condition, and from a sense of my 
responsibility ; also, my inability to meet public expectation, and 
discharge duty. But, more, it arises from a want of trust in 
God, which, were it exercised, would prevent all unwarrantable 
anxiety. 

During the winter he had the charge of a public 
school in Orwell. 

Feb. 18th, 1807. Early this morning I was sent for to go 
home and witness my father's death, as he was expected soon to 
breathe his last. I returned immediately with the messenger, but 
when I arrived he had been dead about an hour. This was six 
days after I saw him in health. On the Sunday before, he was 



SETTLEMENT AT NOERIDGEWOCK. 13 

violently seized with an influenza, which so cramped and over- 
powered the feeble efforts of decayed nature, that he was bereft 
of reason most of the time till his death. 

Feb. 20th. On this day my father's funeral was attended. A 
sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Higly, from 1 Cor. 7 : 29 — 
" But this I say, brethren, the time is short." My father lacked 
but thirteen months of fourscore years. 

March 16th. Returned once more to college, having been 
absent nearly four months. 

April 23d. Taken ill of an influenza. 

May Qth. Vacation commenced, but, being out of health, I 
remained at college for several days. 

May \3th. Health improved in a degree. Set out for Addi- 
son. Felt sensibly affected with some expressions of friendship 
and kindness made me this morning ; and, I trust, in some mea- 
sure thankful and humble before God, that he had disposed any, 
at any time, and especially at this time, to be friendly to one so 
undeserving. On my way I had many reflections. I felt, in 
some measure, the necessity of the continual protection and bless- 
ing of the Almighty, wherever I am. I reflected on his goodness, 
that I had already experienced, and was affected by it. I had an 
earnest desire that God would take me wholly under his care : 
that he would preserve me in his fear, and from danger through 
this and my remaining days ; that his blessing might attend me 
in whatever condition ; and, should it be his holy pleasure, that 
he would restore me to health, and prepare me to resume my 
studies with renewed vigor; and that he would enable me to 
be more faithfully devoted to his service, and make better im- 
provement in science and divine things than heretofore. 

Near the close of May lie returned to Middle- 
bury, still in a condition of great bodily debility. 

Sabbath, June 7th. Was permitted to mingle with God's peo- 
ple, and unite in partaking of the holy symbols of the body and 



14 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

blood of our crucified, but now ascended and glorified Redeemer. 
But I mourn that I am so little affected with a sense of my sins 
and unworthiness, the sufferings of my Saviour, and his un- 
speakable dying love. I pray God to forgive all my sins, and 
grant me his Holy Spirit to sanctify my heart, to convict me of 
the criminality of my conduct, to lead me to penitence, to awaken 
me from stupidity, to warm and animate my affections, and to 
work in me the spirit and temper of his children. 

June 23d. My birth-day has passed without my noticing it, 
so fleeting is time, and so regardless am I of the rapidity of its 
flight. May this admonish me that the day of my death may 
come when I as little expect it. 

July 3d. My room-mate appears to be seriously impressed 
with the importance of religion. For some days I have felt in- 
terested for him and for myself. Felt more than usually the 
reasonableness and importance of embracing religion in youth. 

It is a noticeable fact that even at this early pe- 
riod of his life, whenever he was brought into close 
proximity with impenitent individuals, whether as 
fellow lodgers, or at a boarding-house, or in schools 
of youth under his instruction, their conversion to 
Christ was a usual occurrence. 

July \Uh. This morning had such a sense of my nothingness, 
and unworthiness, and imperfections, that I could not but abhor 
myself. My unfaithfulness and stupidity in discharging my 
duty, and in improving God's mercies, was a cause for humilia- 
tion. The improvement I make in science and divine things 
appeared so small, that I seemed to have little courage to pursue 
my studies. I felt that should God continue my life and privi- 
leges. I had very little prospect that I should ever be of any ser- 
vice to his cause in the world, or comfort to my friends. Under 
these impressions I retired and confessed before God, that I was 



SETTLEMENT AT NOKRIDGEWOCK. 15 

indeed an unprofitable servant ; and acknowledged his justice, 
which I in some measure felt, should he cast me off from his 
presence for ever. I besought his gracious forgiveness and 
acceptance, through Jesus Christ, that he would sanctify my 
heart and heal my infirmities, and aid me by his grace to be 
more faithful in his service, to gain useful knowledge, and make 
some good progress in the divine life ; that he would make his 
strength perfect in my weakness, that I might not be suffered to 
live in vain. I desired to commit every concern unto him ; 
besought that he would order every affair and event respecting 
me in mercy, and not according to my desires, should they be 
selfish or wicked ; and, in fine, I desired submission and resigna- 
tion to his holy will. 

In December, 1807, he again took charge of a 
school in Orwell, in which he was occupied till 
March of the following year. He had now acquired 
reputation as a teacher, and was solicited to take 
the charge of a public seminary, which had for some 
time been in existence at Castleton. He writes, 
March 12th, 1808 : 

I resisted the solicitation, not willing to lose my last summer 
in college, from which I had contemplated much satisfaction and 
profit. I accordingly returned to Middlebury. 

The Trustees of the Institution, nevertheless, 
renewed their solicitations ; and, by the advice of 
friends and the officers of college, he reversed his 
former decision, and acceded to their wishes. Dur- 
ing his first quarter, as Principal at Castleton, in 



16 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

poor health, and with the duties of teaching, and 
preparing for examination, and Commencement at 
Middlebury, pressing him, his spirits seemed to 
have been desponding. Having in August follow- 
ing, terminated, with honor, his connections with 
college, he continued at Castleton, four quarters 
longer, till June 14, 1809. He was successful, as 
a teacher. The Institution flourished under his ad- 
ministration ; and in improved health, and enjoying 
the unqualified respect and affection of the commu- 
nity in which he moved, his spirits were more buoy- 
ant; and he left Castleton, not without regret. Sev- 
eral of his pupils, while in his school, became hope- 
fully pious. 

June 24th, 1809, he became a member of the 
Theological Seminary at Andover, being then 29 
years of age. He left Vermont, travelling on horse- 
back, and arrived the fourth day from the time of 
setting out. The Seminary was then in its infancy, 
having been in operation but about one year. His 
was the second class; containing twenty-four stu- 
dents. Here he suffered less from ill health, and 
less from pecuniary embarrassments, than he had 
done in college. He was able, consequently, to 
devote himself more unremittingly to study, than 
he had done at any former period of his life. He 
was very much favored in his boarding-house, which 



SETTLEMENT AT NORRIDGEWOCK. 17 

was retired and romantic in its situation ; and the 
members of the family at which, he soon found, to 
be much to his mind. As was almost universal with 
the students of the Seminary, of that day, he had a 
passionate affection for what was then denominated 
u the Institution," and for its professors. This affec- 
tion was not unreasonable ; for, though the Semi- 
nary was then young, as to age, it was born in a 
state of mellow and vigorous manhood. Spent in these 
circumstances, he was ever wont to look back upon 
his days at Andover, as among the most sunny of 
his life. And yet his course was still a struggle. 
However satisfied with things about him, he could 
not be satisfied with himself. There is manifestly 
advance in his spiritual views and experience. While 
he devoted himself assiduously to his studies, and 
did not, as some young men injudiciously do, spend 
in active labor the time which they should give to 
preparation for labor ; Providence was, almost con- 
stantly, making him spiritually useful to fellow- 
beings thrown in his way, and brought under his 
influence. For these tokens of the Divine favor he 
was devoutly thankful; but still he longed, and 
still he mourned. The extracts from his journal that 
follow, show that, in his view, literary training is 
not the only preparation necessary for the ministry. 
Were all who are now pursuing Theological studies, 



18 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

as attentive as lie was, to their souls, and as much 
given to prayer, what bright prospects would open 
for the churches and the world ! And observing 
the maturity of his views of the great work before 
him, and of the qualifications requisite for its per- 
formance, we can scarcely regret that his profes- 
sional training was delayed, till he was of an age 
at which maturity is possible. 

"Ah! wherefore in such haste in men's sight to appear? 
The cedar yields no fruit, until its fiftieth year." 

July 22d, 1809, he alludes to various things in 
his condition, as calling for thankfulness. He men- 
tions the family with which he boarded, in which 
were two young persons, who, though moral and 
amiable, lacked the one thing needful. " I longed 
to see them thoughtful, and embracing religion ; but 
being faithless, I am also unfaithful, though I some- 
times converse with them." He alludes to groves 
in the vicinity. 

They are equal to any thing my imagination has ever pic- 
tured from romantic descriptions. These it has been my prac- 
tice to frequent at an early hour in the morning, sometimes 
while it has been yet almost dark : here to spend a contemplative 
hour, listen to the songster's morning lay, to catch the first beams 
of the rising sun, and also to seek the Grod of Grace, who, though 
he dwells beyond the "everlasting hills," deigns to bless the groves 
and the humble vale. This many have witnessed, and this I 
might have experienced, had I possessed a heart warmed with 



SETTLEMENT AT NOKKIDGEWOCK. 19 

heavenly love, sensibilities awake, not only to the beauties of 
nature and the divine perfections displayed in her works, but to 
the unceasing and immeasurable goodness of the God of love, 
which overspreads the earth and constantly encircles me. Some 
comfortable seasons I have enjoyed ; but much I have to mourn 
an unfeeling heart. My obligations to be devoted to God ap- 
peared very great. 

August 23d. I have been off my guard, and in conversation 
have offended a brother; in consequence of which, I here re- 
solve that I will be more watchful over my thoughts, and en- 
deavor to restrain improper or ill-timed observations, that I 
offend not in word. 

August 26th. At our weekly meeting, by reason of pride and 
diffidence, had my feelings mortified ; and I hope it will tend to 
humble me, and teach me the necessity of having the pride of 
my heart subdued, and lead me to put that confidence in God, 
that will cause me to triumph over that diffidence and bashful- 
ness which have characterized me through life, and been a great 
detriment to my improvement as well as comfort. A degree of 
modesty and self-distrust may not be highly criminal, if accom- 
panied with the counterpart, confidence and strength in God ; 
but without the latter, I have reason to think it originates in 
pride or the fear of man, which bringeth a snare. 

Sabbath, 27th. Dr. Griffin's preaching was instructive, soul- 
humbling, and God-exalting ; and, though it seemed to pierce be- 
tween joints and marrow, yet I felt more strength for several 
days after, and more engagedness in the things of religion. 

During the autumnal vacation, 1809, he re- 
mained at Andover. A revival of religion at the 
time existed in the South parish, in promoting 
which he was active and interested. A number of 
young people were the subjects of the work ; with 



20 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

others, both the young persons at his boarding- 
house, before mentioned in his journal. 

January 1st. 1810. God has not only spared my life, but he 
has given me health through all the past year, and has not for 
once laid me on a bed of sickness. He has not continued me in 
the circumstances in which the commencement of the last year 
found me, but has placed me in those as different as they are 
more pleasant. He has freed me from those avocations which, 
for more than a year, engrossed and fatigued my mind, and filled 
it with anxious concern ; and has brought me through various 
scenes, and placed me in a condition highly eligible for becoming 
acquainted with his holy word, for serving him, and for improv- 
ing in the divine life. He has spread out his bounty, and he 
admits me to partake of it without money and without price, and 
he demands my whole heart, and the devotion of all my time, 
and the exertion of my talents in his service : and it is right 
he should have them, for they are not my own. 

As I enter on a new year, I feel it important to adopt the 
following resolutions, which I hope to keep, if I may have divine 
assistance. 

Resolved, That I will endeavor to avoid light and vain con- 
versation, to which I am much inclined, and much exposed in a 
society so agreeable and friendly. I find the practice hostile to 
improvement and religious feeling. 

By divine assistance, I will endeavor to live nearer to God, 
by a more feeling and careful discharge of duty, as far as I can 
discover it. 

I will endeavor carefully to notice the Providences of God, 
that I may know how he is dealing with me, and thereby be 
enabled to learn what is duty. 

January 4th. Found, this day, notwithstanding my resolu- 
tions, an inclination to be light in conversation, and ere I was 
aware indulged it to an extent that caused me pain ; and from 
some improper feelings and deportment, was led to an humbling 



SETTLEMENT AT NORRIDGEWOCK. 21 

sense of my imperfections. I now again see the need of con- 
tinual watchfulness, or resolutions will naught avail, but inclina- 
tions, passions, and imperfections will hurry me into sin. I 
therefore resolve, by Divine assistance, that I will be sober and 
watch unto prayer. 

June 6th. The rod which has been suspended over us in a 
threatening attitude has fallen. It has smitten our beloved 
brother, and removed the flower of the Institution. The provi- 
dence of God in this event is viewed by us with amazement. 
God's way is in the deep waters, but justice is his habitation and 
righteousness his sceptre. Another brother is struggling with 
the same disease. My earnest prayer all this day has been, that 
I may hear this call, and the effect be, to bring me near to God. 

The death above referred to was that of Lewis 
Le Count Congar, one of five young men, who ac- 
companied Dr. Griffin from New Jersey to the sem- 
inary at Andover. He was a young man of singular 
promise. 

Sabbath, 7th. Funeral exercises. I felt a desire to be thorough- 
ly engaged in religion, to feel its power continually. Unless I 
could attain to this, it appeared to me I did not wish ever to be 
a minister of the Gospel. 

Jan. 9th. My feelings this day very tender. I can hardly 
discriminate so as to determine what particular view caused my 
tears to flow; yet they flowed freely. Many things pressed 
themselves upon my mind : that I might be freed from sin and 
live a holy life — the cause of Christ — an awakening in this place 
— that certain individuals might be blessed of God. 

Jan. \%th. Felt some tenderness this morning both in public 
and social prayers. My spirits were in some measure depressed, 
by reason of some peculiar trials. If I ever have experienced 
the grace of God, my heart is yet unsubdued. More trials than 



22 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

every one has, are necessary to subdue my proud, rebellious 
heart. In addition to having had a thorn in my flesh all my 
life, I am, at this time, exercised with a peculiar trial, known to 
myself and to him who hath appointed it. How long it is to 
continue, or what will be the effect of it, I know not. If God 
enables me, by grace, to improve it, it will profit me, otherwise it 
will be injurious. I think I wish to submit, and exercise proper 
feelings, but presume I do not. 

Jan. \<tth. The state of my mind, and the considerations 
mentioned yesterday, induced me to spend much time this day 
in secret prayer. Something of a childlike temper, I thought, I 
felt, as I seemed more willing to leave myself in the hands, and at 
the disposal of a wise and good Providence. 

Feb. Uh. Such a day as I have never before had. Whether 
under the influence of God's Spirit, or the subject of delu- 
sion, I cannot tell. I hope the former. When I arose, my 
mind was peculiarly solemn and burdened with sin. If I ever 
desired that God would interpose for me, it has been this day. 
Never before have I so sensibly felt how blessed it would be to 
be delivered from sin. I seemed unwilling to leave my closet ; 
my whole soul agitated through the day. I sincerely desired 
that God would make me wholly his own, and that he would 
guide me in every single step of my course. 

Nov. 20th. I find much evidence of pride of heart, which em- 
barrasses me in the discharge of public duty. I enjoy better 
spirits than I have done. Am inclined to think that my de- 
pression of mind is attributable in part to ill health and consti- 
tutional defects. 

Dec. 6th. Had a deep sense of my vileness and worthlessness. 
Still I have a faint hope in God, my only helper, and desire to 
cast myself on him for succor. 

He preached, for the first time, in Haverhill, Mass., 
May 4, 1811, having been licensed by the Haverhill 
Association, met in Bradford, on the 13 th of March, in 



SETTLEMENT AT NOKKIDGEWOCK. 23 

that year. On the 24th of September, in the year 
1811, his connection with the Seminary was termi- 
nated. From that time till about the middle of 
December following, he was employed to preach at 
Chester, and at Durham, in New Hampshire. Dur- 
ing the year 1812, and the first part of the year 
following, he preached acceptably and usefully, as 
stated supply, chiefly in Shoreham, Vermont, near 
to his family relatives. Here he had occasion for the 
exercise of wisdom, as an excellent minister had 
recently been forcibly ejected from his place, against 
the wishes of a large portion of the people, in con- 
sequence of which much excited feeling existed* 

March 15th, 1812. I bless God for a heart that can feel, and 
eyes that can weep. Still I must have care, that rny feelings do not 
gain the ascendency over my reason. If they do, and disturb my 
peace, let me contemplate nobler objects. Let me think of God, 
and Christ, and perishing souls ; think of missionaries, those especi- 
ally who have left the dearest earthly objects, to see them no more 
in this world, and to hear from them but seldom. I must repress 
personal sorrows, by enlarged views and the aids of religion. 

May 10th. I would not be my own director. Whenever I 
discover any indications of Providence, that seem to mark out my 
path, it gives me pleasure to notice them, and strengthens my desire, 
that he will order all my way. I hope, I shall ever see his guiding 
hand, and follow where it leads. Sensible I am, and hope always 
to feel, that the course he marks out is the best, and that there is 
neither safety nor peace in any other. 

The following are from letters written by him, 
at this period : — 



'24 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

Shokeham, May 24, 1812. 
My Dear Friend, 

I hope you are endeavoring to live near to God. If you do, I 
think duty will be made plain. Cease not to pray while you exam- 
ine yourself. I am glad that you contemplate offering yourself for 
admission to the Church. I believe it to be your duty to do it, or 
give up your hope ; not standing longer between the armies of the 
Lord, and the camp of the enemy; unwilling to be classed with 
either. Will you go back to the world ? If not ; if the Lord be the 
God you wish to follow, why not come out on his side ? . Ashamed 
to own your Lord ? You are afraid you have not sufficient evidence 
that you are a Christian, and so shall dishonor the cause you would 
espouse. Perhaps you had better feel so than otherwise. I hope 
you will be faithful in examining yourself; but I think you should 
not reject rational evidence, nor despise the day of small things. If 
you have a single spark of true love for Christ, you ought to confess 
him, and acknowledge his grace in giving it. If you feel one glow 
of Christian affection for one of Christ's disciples, you should walk as 
a disciple. I am glad you feel it to be an important matter. We 
ought so to view it. But where shall we go, if not to Christ? 
What business have we in his world, unless engaged in his cause ? 
What have we to ask, but to honor his name ? I hope you will be 
enabled to leave yourself with God, find all your doubts removed, 
your path of duty plain, and Christ precious to your soul as he is to 
them that believe. 



"West Haven, Jan. 22, 1813. 
My Dear Friend : 

The events, which I shall notice in this letter, must furnish 
my only apology for my long silence. Ten days ago, I was 
called to part with a dear brother, by death. He fell a victim 
to a mortal epidemic, which has been commissioned by a right- 
eous Sovereign, to cut down many in this place. It is sup- 
posed to be the spotted fever. It has, already, made surprising 



SETTLEMENT AT NOKRIDGEWOCK. 25 

inroads upon this people, and spreads consternation in its way. 
In this small town, twelve grown persons have been cut off within 
five weeks ; and 1 presume not less than thirty have been taken 
with the disease. Almost every house has been converted into a 
hospital. In one family, which I visited, five were sick — three in 
one room. I can scarcely describe the scene. In the darkened 
room, two or three men were employed attending them, and 
here and there an amazed spectator was gazing on them in silence. 
Beyond all expectations, these are in a fair way to recover. 
Among the victims were a young married couple, with whom I was 
formerly intimate. When the husband died, the wife was in health. 
In a week after, with an infant on each arm, she was consigned 
to the grave. Her father, and her mother, followed in quick suc- 
cession. There is no evidence, that any of them were prepared. 
The neighbor that made the coffin for my brother, and assisted in 
laying his corpse into it, was in just a week from that hour him- 
self laid in a coffin. As the disease is supposed to be contagious, 
assistance is obtained with difficulty. A neighboring minister 
and some aged Christians have been around, visiting and praying 
with the dying and the mourning. Such a day as this, I never 
before witnessed. A general alarm is excited, and happy would 
it be, should it result in a turning to the Lord. My brother left 
us comfortable evidence that he was prepared for a better world. 
Immediately on learning that he was at the point of death, I 
repaired to West Haven. I found, also, that his wife had been 
taken, the day before, with the same disease. Their eldest 
daughter, too, was unwell ; and towards morning I was awakened 
by the cries of a little boy, who had just been taken. I devoted 
myself to my brother almost entirely, day and night, till the 
fourth morning, when I closed his eyes. The night following, I 
had scarcely retired to rest, when I was suddenly arrested by 
the groans of the other daughter, upon whom the disease had 
fixed. To her my attention was then unremittingly devoted till 
Saturday, when another niece, who had come to assist us, was 
taken ill. Since that time my task has been to nurse these two 



26 PREVIOUS TO HIS 

nieces. Sucli was our situation, that neither wife, mother, sister, 
nor child could follow the remains of my brother to the grave. I 
followed him, with the remote connections. 

Sabbath, Jan. 31s£, 1813. Yesterday, as I commenced a funeral 
sermon, I was requested to preach at the funeral of another 
man, the same day. This Sabbath presented such a scene as I 
never before witnessed. Two mourning circles brought in their 
dead, and placed them side by side. I began meeting, and during 
the first singing, was surprised to find the bell still tolling, but 
concluded it was through mistake. As I was rising for prayer, 
the door opened, and another corpse was brought in, of which I 
had not received previous notice. Almost the whole of the large 
assembly seemed to be dressed in mourning. I found myself 
called to address a congregation composed of the dead, and the 
dying, mourning living. The dead helped me to preach to the 
living. For several weeks I have been walking in the midst of 
de^tth. Unless God command the destroying angel, he only 
knows how many more, or who, must fall. 

His brother, whose death is mentioned in the 
letter, was one with whom, for several years, he had 
lived. The nieces, whom he left weeping, because 
he was obliged to take himself from them, and re- 
turn to his work in Shoreham, recovered. But 
another affliction awaited him. His mother, an ex- 
cellent woman, died August 16th, 1813, aged 79 
years. This event he thus notices : 

Set out for Middlebury with a view to commencement. Ar- 
rived at West Haven in the evening, where, to my great sur- 
prise, I was informed that my mother was dead. This was unex- 
pected intelligence, as I had not heard of her illness. Not three 
weeks had elapsed since I left her in her usual health. She fol- 



SETTLEMENT AT NORRIDGEWOCK. 27 

lowed Hie out and observed : " It is not probable we shall meet 
again in this world." But expecting soon to return, I hoped it 
would be otherwise. Alas ! her prediction proved too true. Her 
spirit had taken its flight, four hours before I arrived. A mes- 
senger had been dispatched for me, but I had missed of him, so 
that I had received no intimation of her death till I arrived. 
Her illness, which lasted about a fortnight, she bore with much 
composure, meekness, and pleasantness, often manifesting her 
concern that she should make trouble, and expressing her sense 
of the kindness with which she was treated, and the great mercies 
which she received, and that so many of her children could be 
with her. Though she had for years entertained a hope of being 
a subject of grace, and had professed religion, yet she had been 
subject to many doubts and fears respecting her state. She uni- 
formly entertained low views of her attainments, mourned over 
her stupidity, and thought that a person whose views were no 
more clear and exalted, and whose affections were so languid, 
could have no religion. Her hopes appeared to brighten, in some 
degree, before her death. After expressing great distress from 
faintness, and want of breath, she expired this day, at four o'clock, 
p. m., in the eightieth year of her age. 

Thus she who gave me birth has fallen asleep in death, and, 
I trust, in Jesus. No longer may I continue to answer, when 
questioned for my parents, " I have a mother living." 

The reader will not fail to notice, in the mother, 
the tendencies and traits of character, which were 
prominently developed in the son. 

He was invited to preach on probation, at Ru- 
pert, in Vermont, at Abington, in Massachusetts, 
and at Wells, in Maine, but for reasons deemed by 
him sufficient, he declined. He first visited JSTor- 



28 PREVIOUS TO HIS SETTLEMENT AT NORRIDGEWOCK. 

ridgewock, Oct. 29, 1813. The following, though 
in the third person, is from his own pen : 

He visited the place, sent by the Maine Missionary Society, 
for two weeks. At the close of worship on the second Sabbath, 
it being understood that he was to leave next day, a voluntary 
contribution was taken of $10 for the Missionary Society. But 
his detention a day or two by a storm, gave rise to an effort to 
detain him longer. A number of the Church and some others 
were collected together, who, after consultation, raised a sub- 
scription of $150 for the purpose of obtaining his labors, half the 
time, till it should be exhausted : with the design that the Mis- 
sionary Society should employ him the other half in the vicinity. 
The Society accorded with the measure ; and he proceeded to 
labor alternately in the town, and the vicinity. 

On the twenty-third of April, eighteen hundred fourteen, the 
Church passed a unanimous vote to give him a call to become 
their pastor, and to labor with them such portion of the year as 
they should be able to sustain him. And the town, at a subse- 
quent meeting, concurred, and voted to give him two hundred 
dollars annually, and be entitled to his services two-fifths of the 
time, provided that the Missionary Society would employ him the 
remainder, in the vicinity. The Society approved of the plan, 
and proposed to allow him to spend half the time in Norridge- 
wock. 



CHAPTER H. 

AT NORRIDGEWOCK HALF THE TIME. 

Mr. Peet was ordained and installed pastor of the 
Congregational Church at Norridgewock, August 
4th, 1814, being then thirty-four years of age. Rev. 
D. Lovejoy offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. 
Dr. Jenks, of Bath, preached the sermon; Rev. 
Jotham Sewall led in the ordaining prayer ; Rev. 
Dr. Gillet gave the charge to the pastor ; Rev. Fi- 
field Holt the hand of fellowship ; Rev. J. Ward 
addressed the people ; and Rev. Dr. Tappan offered 
the concluding prayer. Rev. D. Thurston was 
scribe of council. 

On the 8th of September, 1814, he was married 
to Miss Sarah A. Herrick, daughter of Mr. Edward 
Herrick, of Wilton, N. H., and . niece and adopted 
daughter of Ephraim Abbot, Esq., of Andover, 
Mass., in whose family she had been brought up. 
She was one of the young persons of the family 



30 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

with which Mr. Peet had boarded at Andover, and 
to his influence, as a means, she attributed her con- 
version to Christ. 

Having once more, in company with his wife, 
visited his friends in Vermont, he returned to make 
his permanent residence with the people now re- 
garded by him as his people, and for whom already 
he cherished an affection which none but a pastor 
can fully appreciate, but without which he would 
most miserably fail in discharging duty and en- 
countering toil, for the salvation of his charge. 
Norriclgewock was an important, and, in many re- 
spects, a desirable location. It contained, in 1814, a 
population of about one thousand. The village, 
thirty-two miles from Augusta, situated on the 
north side of the Kennebec, on a level plain, with a 
spacious street densely shaded by trees of various 
kinds, with highlands on the ojyposite side of the 
river, was even then of remarkable beauty. The 
inhabitants were intelligent and urbane, partaking, 
in their manners and habits, of the gracefulness of 
the natural scenery of the locality. Being the 
shire town of the County of Somerset, which was 
established in 1809, it had importance in its rela- 
tions to the vicinity. The Church contained forty- 
three members. Though organized in 1797, it had 
till now continued without a pastor; and in the 



HALF THE TIME. 31 

town there had been but occasional preaching. 
When Mr. Peet first visited the place, he found the 
people discouraged from repeated disappointments 
in their attempts to settle a minister, and from ex- 
isting divisions and alienations among themselves. 
With great energy and exemplary wisdom, he 
applied himself to the work of imparting courage 
to their spirits, and of healing their divisions. In 
this work he was eminently successful; and now 
the word began to be attended with the influences 
of the Holy Spirit, making it of saving efficacy. 

He had been in the place but a short time, when 
there appeared an increased attention to religion 
among the people. The members of the Church 
were revived, conferences were appointed, were 
thronged by the youth and others, and were sol- 
emn. Numbers of the impenitent were soon found 
in an inquiring state, and conversions followed. 
The distress of some, convicted of sin, was unusual, 
and their joy proportional. The work was not ex- 
tensive, but it was genuine. The accessions to the 
Church from the fruits of the work, were important 
from their number, but more so from the character 
of those who became members. One of these was 
a man in middle life, engaged extensively in busi- 
ness, of great energy and large influence in society. 
He had before been a man of the world, intoxicated 



32 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

witli military honors ; but the change in him was 
decisive. He seemed to give himself wholly to 
Christ, at once surrendered his military office, pur- 
chased Scott's family Bible, and erected the do- 
mestic altar, and for many years, with a singular 
constancy, fidelity, and liberality, with a few asso- 
ciates of like spirit, aided his minister, and labored 
for Christ's kingdom. Before receiving a call to 
settle, Mr. Peet had spent fifteen weeks in Norridge- 
wock, and preached forty-five times ; in Water- 
ville two weeks, and preached six times ; in Madi- 
son four weeks, and preached thirteen times ; in 
Solon four weeks, and preached twelve times ; one 
week at Anson, and preached six times ; one week 
in Starks, and preached four times. He had 
preached also once in Mercer, and one Sabbath in 
Bloomfield. 

For a period of twelve years, his people sustained 
him, and were entitled to his services, for half of the 
time. He was sometimes absent, laboring in desti- 
tute places, for successive weeks ; but his custom was 
to preach at home on alternate Sabbaths. On the 
Sabbaths intervening, meetings were well sustained, 
generally by members of the church, at which ser- 
mons were read ; though not unfrequently his place 
was supplied by a minister of another denomination. 
Public worship, at this period, was held in the meet- 



HALF THE TIME. 33 

ing-house, during the warm season, and in the old 
court-house, in the winter. His lectures at private 
dwellings were generally not written, as was the fact 
as to the conclusion of many of his discourses on the 
Sabbath. Many, who were then youth, can now 
well remember how their minds were wrought upon 
by the pungency of his exhortations, and the affec- 
tionate earnestness of his entreaty ; especially in the 
court-house, where, the people being seated in mass, 
there was some descent from the stateliness of wor- 
ship in the meeting-house. 

" The pastor rose 
And looked upon his flock — and with an eye 
That told his interest, and voice that spoke 
In tremulous accents, eloquence like Paul's, 
He lent Isaiah's fire to the truths 
Of Revelation, and persuasion came 
Like gushing waters from his lips, till hearts 
Unused to bend, were softened, and the eye 
TJnwont to weep, sent forth the willing tear." 

He was indefatigable in pastoral labors, never 
neglecting the sick and the sorrowing ; he wrote as 
many sermons in the year as can properly be ex- 
pected of any minister; and, except that he was 
absent half of the Sabbaths, which were thereby 
rendered less cheerful and inviting, he performed, 
at home, all the labor which would have been 



34 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

asked of him by his people, had lie been wholly in 
their employ. 

He early introduced the observance of the 
monthly concert of prayer, at which the average 
contribution, annually, was about fifteen dollars, 
though the attendants and contributors were very 
few in number. He interested himself early in pro- 
moting religious reading among his people. The 
Boston Recorder, the Panoplist, the Religious Intel- 
ligencer, and the Christian Spectator, published at 
New Haven, were by his agency extensively circulat- 
ed and read in the town. In the year 1814, seven 
were admitted to the church. In 1815, he warmly 
co-operated with others, of like mind with himself, in 
the organization of a County Society for the Refor- 
mation of Morals ; special reference being had to the 
alarming increase of intemperance, and the profana- 
tion of the holy Sabbath. About the same time, he 
organized, among his own people, a Library Asso- 
ciation, and also a female Tract Society. 

During this year, having obtained for himself 
about twelve acres of land eligibly situated, he erect- 
ed for himself a dwelling-house, not extravagant in 
extent or style of finish, yet sufficiently spacious, 
commodious and comely, at an expense of near two 
thousand dollars. This was the most hazardous 
pecuniary enterprise in which he ever embarked. 



HALF THE TIME. 35 

He had meditated the erection of a small and cheap 
edifice ; but his friends encouraged him to enlarge his 
plans, and offered him their credit. But with a sup- 
port scarcely sufficient to meet the current expenses of 
his family, the cold seasons now occurring, corn en- 
tirely cut off, flour fifteen dollars per barrel, and 
wheat two dollars and a half a bushel, how could he 
possibly liquidate a debt of the magnitude of that 
now incurred? The highest praise is due to the 
citizens of JSTorridgewock, who, seeing the embar- 
rassing circumstances of his condition, whether they 
belonged to his society, or not, of their own ac- 
cord, raised funds by subscription, and, in a man- 
ner the most delicate possible, relieved him of the 
greater part of his burden; so that his property 
was made free from incumbrances, and his debts 
rendered such as to be manageable. As he was 
always punctiliously faithful in meeting engage- 
ments, his credit was always good ; still, during most 
of his ministry, he was straitened in his current 
means, which was to him a source of great perplex- 
ity and much suffering ; and his supplies came to 
him in a manner, and at junctures so opportune, 
that he often attributed them, and with sufficient 
reason, to nothing other than the interpositions of 
Heaven in answer to prayer. He would, sometimes, 
in conversation with his family, palliate the impru- 



35 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

dence of having erected so expensive a dwelling, by 
suggesting that it might probably soon become the 
habitation of a successor in office, who might need 
accommodations as good as he had provided. The 
event proved, that he was destined to be the owner 
of the mansion, and the chief inhabitant of the 
dwelling, till, in a good old age, he was removed to 
a mansion in the skies. And none who are inter- 
ested, and have been familiar with that mansion, 
have, on the whole, regretted, or ever can regret, 
that he erected it. It has been a family residence, 
the like to which, in all respects, in the blessings 
within, are but rarely found on earth. 

His family early consisted of four members ; and, 
very soon, six or eight were but a usual number. 
Many young persons, of both sexes, have had a resi- 
dence in his family for longer or shorter periods ; 
and, to all who were inmates of his dwelling, how 
paternal was his heart, and how paternal were his 
words ! He never suffered any long period to elapse, 
without conversing with them on the subject of 
their eternal interests ; and how fervent were his 
prayers each morning and evening, that each of the 
family might be saved ! He had personal conflicts 
and official anxieties ; but these he seldom permitted 

so much as to cast a shadow over his countenance 
I 

in his family ; and never were children, whether of 



HALF THE TIME. 37 

other parents, who dwelt with him, or his own, in 
after time, more pleased, than when he could com- 
mand time for mingling in the conversation of his 
family and directing it. The yonth of the town 
loved to visit at his house ; and all visitors of what- 
ever age, were sure to wish, as often as possible, to 
repeat their visits. 

On the 23d of August, 1815, he was called with 
his wife to witness the distressing death of their first 
child, an infant daughter, who for two months had 
been with them, an engaging object of affection and 
promise. At day-break on the morning of the pre- 
ceding day, there being indications that the end of 
the child was near, the family was assembled, when 
it was surrendered to God in the ordinance of Bap- 
tism. Before its death, on the next day, the Rev,. 
Jotham Sewall providentially arrived to pray with 
it and its afflicted parents. He remained, and. 
preached at the funeral on the day following. 

The father of the child, after the funeral, in his 
journal, thus writes as to his emotions during the 
service : 

" I know not that I realized my loss, but I had 
not a word to say. I felt that the Lord had done 
right. To the child I never could lay claim. Never 
did I suppose, I could attend upon the funeral solem- 
nities of a child of mine, without being sensible of 



SS AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

more painfulness and gloom. Mrs. P. felt the loss 
more sensibly." 

" In a mother's love 

There is more tenderness; the thousand chords 
Woven with every fibre of her heart, 
Complain, like delicate harp-strings, at a breath ; 
But love in man is one deep principle, 
"Which like a root grown in a rifted rock, 
Abides the tempest. " 

At this period, there was but one other Con- 
gregational minister in the county, and owing to his 
relations to the whole vicinity, and the known hos- 
pitality of his house, he was subject to an amount of 
company, probably, without a parallel in any other 
minister's family in the State. Guests were contin- 
ually arriving for breakfast, for dinner, and to spend 
the night. Without having had any reason to ex- 
pect it, he was subject, any day, to be called to go 
five, ten, or twenty miles to attend a funeral, or on 
some other emergency. He could therefore never, 
beforehand, be certain of having the command of 
his time ; and often when the hardest pressed in his 
preparations for the Sabbath, he was compelled to 
leave his study. Still, the year 1815, and the three 
following years, were a period of able and successful 
labor among his people ; a period of indefatigable 
industry in sowing the good seed of the kingdom, 
and in watering it. The Unitarian controversy was 



HALF THE TIME. 39 

then at its height in New England ; and many of 
his more important supporters had, from the begin- 
ning, been inclined to liberal views. With signal 
force and earnestness, he inculcated the great truths 
of depravity, of election by grace, and the everlasting 
destruction of the incorrigibly wicked. Many of his 
sermons produced no small degree of excitement; 
but still he was heard. In 1816, his congregations 
were considerably larger than ever before. At his 
meeting, on Sabbath evening, he often read from 
Edwards, or some other writer, accounts of the ope- 
rations of the Holy Spirit in periods of revival. 
These meetings were usually remarkably well at- 
tended by the young people. For them he cher- 
ished a deep solicitude, pursuing their welfare in 
every practicable method. 

In 1816, as often as once in two weeks, he attend- 
ed to the catechetical instruction of children, either 
in meetings appointed for the purpose, or in the 
public schools. In the following year, a large num- 
ber of the young people, of both sexes, met him once 
in two weeks, when a portion of their number read 
to him what they had written on topics in the order 
suggested in Wilbur's Evangelical Catechism. Two 
Juvenile Missionary Associations were formed, em- 
bracing more than fifty of the young people, which 
continued several years in efficient existence, and 



40 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

the Sabbath School was introduced. The church, 
at this period, was usual])' in a good state ; days of 
prayer and fasting were frequently observed ; and 
neither the year 1819, or that following, passed 
without the occurrence, in some part of the parish, 
of individual instances of awakening and hopeful 
conversion. 

The year 1818 was one of great anxiety and la- 
bor, in consequence of the prevalence in the village 
of a malignant fever, which swept away many of the 
inhabitants. The year 1819 was entered upon with 
depressed spirits and gloomy forebodings. It be- 
came necessary for the church to enter upon the 
work of discipline, which resulted in the final 
removal of some of its members. 

January 14/A, 1819. A church conference. Few present. 
Conversed on the low and melancholy state of things in the 
church, and the importance of doing something for its recovery. 

January 19th. Distressed on account of the state of things 
in town. 

Febntary \\th. The church met for fasting and prayer. A 
good number assembled. Some, not members of the church, 
seriously impressed. Meeting uncommonly interesting. Ap- 
pearances indicate that G-od is with us. and is about to revive his 
work. 

The hopes above expressed were not disap- 
pointed. The interest became more deep and per- 
vading, and the year was distinguished by the pre- 



HALF THE TIME. 41 

sence of the Holy Spirit with the people. Nearly 
every district in the town shared, to a greater or 
less extent, in the blessing ; though the cases, of con- 
version were not very numerous. Of the fourteen 
received into the Congregational Church, the greater 
part were married people in middle life. Twenty- 
six children received baptism. 

The following letters to Mrs. Peet, absent in 
Massachusetts, inserted in this place, may be read 
with interest : 

Norridgewock, July 2*7 th, 181 Y. 
My Dear Wife : 

Addressing you by this most endearing name for the first 
time in this way, while it awakens a thousand tender emotions, 
also reminds me of that Divine goodness which has not, until 
now, caused us to separate a sufficient length of time to render it 
important to communicate. I will, therefore, endeavor not to 
complain in view of this, my present separation, from one on 
whose society my earthly happiness so much' depends. And I 
will hope and trust that this journey and visit among your nu- 
merous and dear friends will be productive of much real enjoy- 
ment, as well as materially conducive to the restoration and con- 
firmation of your health. Should these objects be gained, I shall 
be abundantly compensated for my loss. And while I look for- 
ward with no indifferent feelings to that period when I hope, 
through the smiles of a kind Providence, you will be safely re- 
turned, I will in some measure beguile the passing moments by 
participating, though absent, in the happiness you enjoy in the 
circle of your western friends. 

J. is with us, and will continue till H. returns ; and, if I am 
not mistaken, she has some serious impressions. I hope it may 
prove to be the case, not only with her, but with many others in 



42 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

this place. Mr. P. thinks there is a good work begun in his 
neighborhood. I may be able to give you more definite, and I 
would hope, also, more interesting intelligence on the subjeet in 
my next. 

Edward had a fine frolic in the night by moonlight ; kept 
the girls awake with his sport an hour or two, and then went 
quietly to sleep. He is a very good boy, and does honor to him- 
self. He has become quite a traveller : walks all about the 
house without assistance. He could hardly find words to ex- 
press his joy when I returned from H., but seemed disappointed 
at not seeing you. He calls mamma very earnestly when he sees 
a chaise, and sometimes seems rather displeased that it does not 
stop. You will easily pardon my particularity on this subjeet. 

I have not said all I intended ; but what remains principally 
respects myself, and is of so little consequence that I can omit 
it without regret. I. therefore, close, enjoining on you to be 
sure to write by the first mail after you receive this, and once a 
week at least till you return ■ and remember 

I am your affectionate husband. 



XOREIDGEWOCE, Allff. 10th, lSIIu 

My Dear Wife: 

I thank you for your very welcome letter, which last night ? s 
mail brought me. Grateful indeed to me was the information 
that you had a pleasant journey and safe arrival. I still feel no 
small solicitude about your health, from what you mentioned : 
but I can but hope that when you shall have become rested from 
the fatigues of a long journey, you will find your health amended. 
The blessing of health we shall never know how to value suffi- 
ciently till it is taken from us. And though I believe it to be 
duty carefully to employ all practicable means for recovering, or 
preserving health, yet I would be sensible that this, like all other 
blessings, comes from God alone, and will be bestowed where, 
and in such measure, as shall seem good in his sight. But, how- 



HALF THE TIME. 43 

ever desirable and essential to our usefulness we may deem 
bodily health, health of soul is more valuable ; the light of God's 
countenance is a more precious gift. This is a sure proof of 
God's love and favor. The other is not. Bodily health is be- 
stowed, in common, upon the sinner and saint. But health of 
soul is reserved for the saint alone. With this joy no stranger 
intermeddleth. This is the precious gift of God to his dear chil- 
dren. And, though I most earnestly desire for you the enjoy- 
ment of the other, I hope you are not a stranger to the joys of 
this. I hope you will feel, as I think you may, that you are now 
in the way of duty, and will, therefore, commit all to God's keep- 
ing and disposal, and endeavor to feel tranquil in your mind. 
I beg, you will not be so anxious about your family, as to prevent 
the enjoyment of your visit, or frustrate tbe object of it, by hast- 
ening your return sooner than would otherwise be desirable. I 
know not that you could have left your family in a condition to 
occasion less anxiety. H. manages exceedingly well. She pleases 
me much. She appears to know so well what she is about, that I 
feel quite at ease as respects family concerns. 

Through Divine goodness we are all in health ; and domestic 
enjoyment has not yet fled from the dwelling, in wbich I have so 
largely shared it with you. True, one thing is wanting, and 
though I shall not here attempt to tell how great that is to me — 
how essential to my earthly happiness — yet I should do wrong to 
say I am now unhappy. I look forward with joyful anticipation 
to the hour that shall restore to me the object, which, until now, 
I never knew how much I loved. 

The first eyes I met this morning were those of Edward ; and 
tuhey were very bright. S. brought him into my study in fine 
spirits. He is extravagantly fond of green peas, which we have 
in abundance. "We have also plenty of new potatoes, beets, and 
cucumbers. I hope our good things will not all be gone before 
you return. 

H., S., and D. send their love. Mr. A. sends his best wishes ; 
says, I may tell you he is here, and fares well, though he does not 



44: AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

do much ; and Edward, on mature reflection, concluded to send 
his love. Mr. A. is digging up Greek roots. I assist him two or 
three hours in a day. 

I sincerely regret the misfortune of B. How necessary to 
happiness, or hope, to be interested in a good which flames cannot 
consume, floods wash away, nor death destroy. 

And now, my dear wife, may the favor of Heaven be with 
you while absent, give you a safe return, attend you through life 7 
and for ever. 

So prays your affectionate husband. 

The latter part of the year 1820 was rendered 
solemn in his family by the death of Mr. Austin H. 
Peet, a nephew, from the State of Vermont, and a 
young man of piety and promising talents, who had 
for some time been with his uncle pursuing study, 
with a view to entering on the work of the Chris- 
tian ministry. 

Dec. 28, 1820. Toward the close of the evening, the conversa- 
tion turned on the manner of spending time when we are to- 
gether. We all agreed that it was faulty, and concluded to 
attempt amendment. 

Dec. 29tk. After the morning devotions of the family, we 
spent a season in religious conference, devising ways whereby 
we might instrumentally promote personal piety. One of the 
family related her Christian experience, and then we united in 
prayer. This course we concluded to adopt and observe, as often 
as we can find it convenient. 

Jan. \st, 1821. Through Divine goodness I enter upon 
another year. The last day and evening of the year which has 
just expired, I was permitted to spend in the public worship of 
God : in attempting to recommend his religion to my fellow crea- 
tures, and awaken in them, as well as in myself, some sense of 



HALF THE TIME. 45 

the sacredness of our obligation to live to, and for that God, by 
whose mercies we are constantly sustained and nourished. May 
the closing scene of life, also, be with God, and bear testimony to 
the reality and excellence of religion, and the peace and consola- 
tion it imparts. May I have grace to keep the resolution last 
night formed, to be in future more vigilant, diligent, and prayer- 
ful. The Lord preserve me from the evil of a useless life. 

Monthly concert. A deeply interesting consideration, that 
Christians, in every part of the world, are, on this first day of the 
new year, praying for Zion and the world. The prayer-hearing 
God accept the offering, presented from a thousand altars, pour 
out his blessing and save mankind. 

Dec. olst. Here end another year's transactions. How sol- 
emn the thought ! How many destinies has the year fixed for 
ever ! How shall I answer for what it has recorded, and will ex- 
hibit against me ? 

How far it is the duty of the pastor publicly to 
condemn prevailing follies and practices, indulged in 
by his people, which he believes to be sinful and 
injurious, but which he cannot prevent, is a question 
on which, perhaps, some diversity of sentiment 
exists. Doubtless the pulpit is degraded when the 
preacher allows himself in personal invective ; and 
the time when youth or men are most intoxicated 
with follies, may not always be the time most 
favorable for convincing them of their injurious 
tendency. There is a time to speak, and a time to 
refrain from speaking. Still, the field from which 
the minister may derive his discourses, is not to be 
circumscribed. If he may find sermons in trees and 



46 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

brooks, so may lie in men. Whoever will furnish 
him with a suitable subject for a discourse, he may 
avail himself of it. It is to be remembered, also, 
that his sermons must be appropriate to the existing 
condition and necessities of his hearers; and the 
people will not long respect a pastor who systemati- 
cally avoids reproving them for what he knows, and 
they know, to be contrary to the Scriptures and 
adverse to their moral interests and everlasting 
salvation. The people of Noridgewock always knew 
that they had nothing to hope from the timidity of 
their minister, and that no complaisance on their 
part, could purchase his smiles on what he believed 
to be wrong, or his silence, when he believed it his 
duty to speak. 

"The man that's resolute and just, 
Firm to his priciples and trust, 
Nor hopes nor fears can bind." 

Jan. 13, 1822. Afternoon, preached from Jer. 28 : 16, "This 
year thou shalt die." Bore testimony against balls, there being 
one appointed for next evening. 

Jan. \Uh. This evening a large party is engaged at a ball, 
and others at cards. How distressing to see multitudes betray- 
ing such thoughtlessness while under sentence of death, not 
knowing that it will not be executed before the expiration of the 
year on which they have now entered. By giving the first fruits 
of it to Satan, they seem to dedicate the year to his service. 
" Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." 



HALF THE TIME. 47 

It may as well here, as elsewhere, be mentioned, 
that during the whole period of his residence at 
ISTorridgewock, he very uniformly officiated as chap- 
lain for the courts, the judges in which held him in 
high estimation. In the early part of his ministry 
he generally officiated as chaplain at the annual 
military gatherings; but subsequently he came to 
regard these last occasions with aversion and pain. 

"0 war, thou son of hell! 
Whom angry heavens do make their minister." 

In the autumn of the year 1822, it was deter- 
mined that the churches in Kennebec and Somerset 
counties should be visited by a committee appointed 
by the pastors. He was designated as one of the 
committee. While engaged in performing the du- 
ties thus assigned him, he wrote the following letter : 

Vassalboro', Oct. 19, 1822. 
My Dear Wife : 

I had the unexpected pleasure of hearing from you hy way 
of Misses D. and L., who were with you on Monday night, and 
learning that, through the kindness and mercy of the Lord, all 
was well. With regard to myself, goodness has attended me ; 
my health has "been good, my way prosperous, and in most re- 
spects, pleasant. We have visited the churches in Hallowell, 
Pittston, Windsor, Ligonia, and Unity. To-day we meet the 
church in Yassalborough. Monday is assigned for Augusta, 
Tuesday for Litchfield, Wednesday for Winthrop, Thursday for 
Chesterville, and so on to Wilton, Temple, Farmington, New 
Sharon, and Mercer. It is interesting to meet with the little 



4:8 AT NOKRIDGEWOCK 

churches, many of which are as sheep without a shepherd, and 
to inquire into their state, and administer counsel and encour- 
agement, as well as to sympathize with them in their trials. 
But it would be still more interesting could we find them more 
alive. ! how desirable to see the churches arise. I hope our 
church is waking up. How alarming is such a general declen- 
sion ! No wonder that sinners are thoughtless, when Christians 
are so generally asleep. 

I fully reciprocate your views and feelings with regard to the 
increased estimate which you place on the privilege of writing. 
Never did I so highly prize letters from you, as I do of late. I 
am glad to learn that you have not been lonesome. I hope that 
when you are so, on account of my absence, you will retire and 
pray for one, who, in similar circumstances, endeavors to meet 
you at a throne of grace. Nor would I request you to meet me 
there only when you are lonesome, but also when it is well with 
you. My comfort, when anxious about my dear family, is in en- 
deavoring to commit them into the hands of God, and imploring 
his protection and mercy. 

Give the children a kiss from their father, and tell them to be 
good. 

And now, very dear wife, I subscribe myself, as ever, 

Your affectionate husband. 

When the Gospel is faithfully preached, life and 
death are set before men, and they do inevitably 
make a choice. They may stand halting for a 
time, but soon they go one way or the other with 
all their hearts. The mind that will not yield 
itself to the power of the truth, will, ere long, exert 
itself to evade the truth. They who will not obey 
the Grospel will become unwilling to hear it. The 
crisis is usually hastened if preaching is doctrinal 



HALF THE TIME. 49 

and earnest, and is accompanied with the strivings 
of the Holy Spirit. In these circumstances many 
become Christ's disciples, and many take a course, 
dictated by a desire to have as little thought as 
possible of the terrors of the Almighty's vengeance 
to the Christless. 

" From our ill ordered hearts we oft are fain to roam, 
As men go forth who find unquietness at home." 

There had been a number from the beginning 
at Norridgewock, who exhibited opposition to the 
truths of the Gospel preached to them. For a pe- 
riod of twelve years the naked truth had been held 
up to their view. Numbers of them, at times, were 
in a degree awakened, sought the counsel and 
prayers of their pastor, and seemed almost decided 
to follow Christ; but yet were only almost per- 
suaded. 

Such was the power of the truth, and such the 
wisdom of the pastor, and the hold he had on his 
parishioners, from the purity of his life and the 
benevolence of his spirit, that for years the congre- 
gation kept together. 

" Thy presence did each doubtful heart compose, 
And factions wondered that they once arose." 

But, as was to have been anticipated, in 1825 sev- 
eral who had hitherto been associated with the 



50 AT XORRIDGEWOCK HALF THE TIME 

churcli in supporting the Gospel, withdrew their 
aid, and united with others in originating a Unita- 
tarian congregation in the village. The people 
were now formally divided. Two congregations, 
side by side, assembled on the Sabbath. Some of 
the wealthiest had seceded, and the hearts of many 
left in the original society began to fail. Before 
weak, and now reduced, and considerable acrimony 
of feeling existing, their prospects were indeed ap- 
parently not nattering. 



CHAPTER III. 

AT NORRIDGEWOCK THREE-FOURTHS THE TIME. 

" There is joy, in the presence of the angels of 
God, over one sinner that repenteth." And the re- 
pentance of a sinner gives delight to the saints on 
the earth. But unspeakable is the satisfaction of 
the faithful minister of Christ, who has long toiled, 
and watched, and prayed, and had patience, when 
he sees those who have been the objects of his toil 
and solicitude brought into the kingdom of God. 
Then words will not suffice to express his thank- 
fulness ; and with his joy a stranger doth not inter- 
meddle. This joy had the pastor at Norridgewock 
during the greater part of the year 1826, notwith- 
standing the untoward events of the year preced- 
ing. On the first day of this year he thus wrote : 

When I laid myself down the last night, the rain was drench- 
ing the earth, and without, all was "boisterous and dreary. "When 
I awoke all was mild and serene. Tempestuous and stormy was 
the close of the last year ; tranquil and pleasant the beginning 



52 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

of this, resembling the elose of the sinner's impenitent career, 
and his entrance upon a life of piety and faith. 

At the close of the year is the following : 

A merciful God has not only spared my life, and the lives of 
all the members of my dear family, and nourished us with his 
temporal mercies, as usual ; but he has permitted me to witness 
the bestowment of the richest spiritual blessing upon my people : 
has sent his Holy Spirit, and revived his work. It has been the 
favored year, which he has reserved, in which to accomplish so 
great a work in Norridgewock, as the hopeful conversion of sixty 
souls. "While I live, I think, I shall, remember this year with 
interest. It has been the most interesting year of my life. 

The members of the church, in their enfeebled 
condition, fainted not, but betook themselves to 
God in earnest prayer. Increasing numbers were 
present at public worship, and a growing interest 
and solemnity were apparent during the winter. 
In March, the church observed a day, as a season of 
fasting and prayer. The State fast occurred early 
in the next month, and the assembled people were 
addressed from the words: "I beheld the trans- 
gressors, and was grieved." The numbers present, 
the stillness and fixed attention and solemnity, con- 
strained the pastor to say, that he had never before 
attended such a fast in Norridgewock ; and " surely 
the Lord is in this place." Soon occurred interest- 
ing cases of conversion. Seriousness became gen- 



THREE-FOURTHS THE TIME. 53 

eral in the town ; and for a considerable period con- 
versions were of almost daily occurrence. At sev- 
eral times during the summer there was an appa- 
rent cessation of progress in the work, which had the 
effect to lead to an increase of prayer. The pastor 
is known, more than once, to have spent the entire 
night, engaged in this exercise; and prayer was 
availing. The Hearer of prayer approved and re- 
warded the feeling in his people, that his work 
must go on. On the first Sabbath in September, 
twenty -nine persons were admitted to the church ; 
others in the subsequent months of the year, and 
others still, the year following, making the whole 
number about forty. Other denominations shared 
in the fruits of this revival. Three brothers united 
with the Methodist order, all of whom received a 
public education, and entered the ministry. Two 
of them, now living, are highly esteemed ministers 
in that denomination, occupying important loca- 
tions. 

Till 1826, Mr. Peet had preached to his own 
people one half of the time. Early this year, in- 
stead of yielding to despondence, his people in- 
creased their subscriptions for his support, and 
thenceforth, for a period of eleven years, he de- 
voted to them three-fourths of his time. It is 
interesting to notice the wonders of God's provi- 



54 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

dences. How vain are attempts to crush the 
kingdom of Christ ! How unnecessary and sinful 
is distrust of God on the part of his people ! 

" When we review our dismal fears, 
'Twas hard to think they'd vanish so ; 
With God we left our flowing tears ; 
He makes our joys like rivers flow." 

No periods, perhaps, more bring into requisi- 
tion, and put to the test, the wisdom and fidelity of 
the pastor, than those which immediately succeed a 
time of ingathering. Then there is apt to be lassi- 
tude ; but dangers are never more imminent. The 
following is from a communication to the Eev. Dr. 
Storrs, Secretary of the Massachusetts Missionary 
Society : 

July 11, 1828. 
I will first say a word of myself. Being desirous to do some- 
thing to prevent the lamentable declension, which too generally 
succeeds a revival, I introduced some measures, at the beginning 
of the year, for this purpose. Among others, I extended my 
Bible class into three different parts of the town, after having 
preached a lecture in each to the young people, hoping to excite 
some more interest among them. Each of these meetings I 
attended, once a fortnight, which, together with other stated 
meetings, made me three, four, and sometimes five, a week. This 
course I pursued till May, though to my injury, yet with increas- 
ing interest to my feelings, and with increasing prospects of 
good. But the labor undertaken, and exposure to the night air 
proved to be too much for my lungs, which I found had not yet 
fully recovered from the injury received in a similar way, during 



THREE-FOURTHS THE TIME. 65 

the revival. I was obliged to suspend my Bible meetings, though 
with great reluctance, as the interest was increasing. I am well 
satisfied that the Bible Class system is a means of doing good, 
of which the minister should eagerly avail himself, so far as prac- 
ticable. 

January 7, 1829. At evening, attended a conference. About 
sixty young people assembled in an adjacent building for a ball. 
The Lord open their eyes ; show them what an expression of 
thanks is this, for God's preserving mercy, and awaken their at- 
tention to the things which belong to their peace. 

Fast, April 9th. I must make some effort to prevent the 
children from treating, as a holiday, a season of fasting and 
prayer. The Lord direct and aid me. 

Nov. 15th. Had an affecting sense of my frailty, and of my 
need of assistance, both temporal and spiritual, for myself and 
my dear family. Felt anxious for the dear church, and the cause 
of G-od in Norridgewock. 

Few public men pass through life, escaping en- 
tirely the envenomed attacks of the tongue of 
slander, and the temporary alienation of some who 
had seemed to be friends. In this respect Mr. Peet 
was more favored than most; but in the year 1830, 
a rumor was put in circulation prejudicial to him, 
as wanting in justice to character, in a certain case. 
This was so far heeded, in the vicinity, and by some 
of his ministerial brethren, with others, that for a 
time it occasioned no small stir, not with his people, 
but in the neighborhood. He experienced some 
invidious neglects, and, once or twice, at least, in an 
indirect way, was indecorously impeached in a pub- 



56 AT NORKIDGEWOCK 

lie assembly. It seemed as if a settled purpose had 
been formed to prostrate, if possible, Ms reputation 
and influence. In these circumstances, in no small 
degree trying, he exhibited remarkably the meek- 
ness and gentleness of the G-ospel, and as remarka- 
bly demeaned himself with the self-respect becom- 
ing a gentleman and a Christian, arraigned without 
a fault. To any entitled to explanation, he freely 
imparted it when sought. Beyond this he wisely 
abstained from efforts at self-defence, committing 
himself to Him who judgeth righteously. He did 
not fail to find that "the righteousness of the up- 
right shall deliver them." Time extorted the convic- 
tion, and the acknowledgment, of his entire integrity 
in the matter. Most, who had been misled, made 
to him all the satisfaction he desired. With all his 
heart he forgave them ; as before, he had been dis- 
posed to put the most lenient construction upon their 
motives in the course by which he knew that he 
was wronged. Temporary disquietude and sorrow 
were the extent of the injury he received. His 
character was made to appear the more resplendent, 
not only as a man of integrity, but of rare discre- 
tion. 

Oct. 27. 1831. At Farrnington. attending a series of meet- 
ings. Awoke in the night. The issue of the meeting, also my 
own children, two of whom were with me, my family and people. 



THREE-FOURTHS THE TIME. 57 

rested with such, weight on my mind, that I could not sleep. 
Felt that the blessing needed was in the hand of a Sovereign. 
Never did I feel more dependent This was no virtue in me ; I 
was driven to it. At the close of the afternoon the awakened 
were invited to stop. A number tarried, and among them my 
daughter. 

A few months prior to the preceding date, his 
eldest son, in the Academy at Farmington, had be- 
come hopefully the subject of a saving change. 
Subjoined are parts of letters addressed to this son. 

My Dear Son: 

It is interesting to me that I may write to one, who, I hope, 
has an interest in the Saviour, especially after the scenes of this 
day. We have witnessed this day a scene which is suited to 
make the world look small, and life a vapor ; and to show the 
immense importance of having religion, and of having it early. 
Mr. A., that amiable young man, that youth of so much promise, 
is now deposited beneath the clods of the valley. And so sudden 
was his dissolution, that he dressed himself for the grave. He 
arose and ate his breakfast as comfortably as he had done for a 
number of days before. Then he changed his collar and cravat, 
and adjusted them, and, in a few moments, he was no more. How 
suddenly was life extinguished ! 0, how important to be ready ! 

0, my dear son, have you indeed given your heart to God ? 
Have you become reconciled to him through the blood of his 
dear Son? Are you making the eternal God your portion? 
If so, it is wise ; it is well. But these are questions of infinite 
moment. It infinitely concerns you to decide them right. A 
good hope, or true religion, is an infinite good. But a false hope, 
or false religion, persisted in, is an infinite evil. It is endless 
ruin ; there is no reprieve. Beware of nothing so much as self- 
deception in matters of religion. Examine yourself faithfully, 
prayerfully, and daily. If you have made God your portion, 



58 AT NOERIDGEWOCK 

you will find and manifest, that you love him. You will delight 
in him, and in his Word and service. You will hate and strive 
against sin, in thought, word and deed. You will forsake the 
vanities, follies, and levities of youth. You will prize the Sa- 
viour, because he is a Saviour from sin. You will be much in 
prayer. He that truly loves God, will love to commune with 
him. If you love G-od, you will desire, and aim to live for him. 
You will not live merely to please and gratify yourself, but will 
deny yourself, and mortify the proud, selfish feelings of a cor- 
rupt heart, and strive to have such feelings as God requires. 0, 
if you would prove yourself a child of God, you must show that 
old things have passed away, and that all things have become 
new. 

From your affectionate father. 



My Dear Son : 

Your letter I received not till this afternoon. I perceive it 
was dated the day after you received ours. I am glad to find 
you so prompt in answering them. Hope you will prove thus 
ready for the performance of every duty, in its proper time and 
place. Punctuality is of great importance. There is a propen- 
sity in our natures to neglect duty, or postpone the performance 
of it, which ought to be sternly resisted, for it is displeasing to 
God and injurious to us. It also betrays a slothful spirit — an 
unwillingness to perform our duty — -whereas it ought to be a 
pleasure. More injury than we are aware results from inatten- 
tion to little things ; from neglecting or delaying beyond their 
proper time little duties, if there are any duties that may be 
called little. By indulging in ease, or in loose, vain conversation, 
or thinking, or unprofitable reading, one may be led to put off, 
or neglect self-examination, secret prayer, or watchfulness, or 
some more trifling duties and attentions to the soul, whereby the 
conscience will be hardened and rendered more stupid, and the 
way prepared for greater neglects. A careful, conscientious, 



THEEE-FOUETHS THE TIME. 59 

punctual attention to little duties, as well as others, is a good 
way to keep the conscience alive and tender, and to promote the 
health of the soul, and spiritual improvement. You have much 
need, my son, to watch and pray, that you enter not into tempta- 
tion ; that you neglect no duty, that you do not deceive yourself. 
I am glad that you have some sense of your obligations to 
G-od for his distinguishing goodness to you, and are led to in- 
quire : What shall I render unto him for all his benefits ? You 
may adopt the sentiment of Watts : 

" Here, Lord, I give myself away, 
'Tis all that I can do." 

Sabbath, Oct. 30, 1831. Felt need of aid, and hoped I should 
not be quite deserted. And I was not disappointed. The Lord was 
good. He did assist me. 1 hope and pray that good may follow. 

Nov. 28th. Awoke in the night with anxious thoughts for my 
family and people. 

Dec. 6th. Again engrossed in the night with anxious thoughts. 
My own frailty, and temporal embarrassments, the welfare of my 
dear family, the conversion of my children, and of others in the 
place who are serious, and of multitudes who are careless, de- 
prived me of sleep. 

Toward the close of this year several cases of 
conversion occurred, and there were marked indica- 
tions of a revival. Early in 1832, the church de- 
cided that it was expedient to hold a series of 
meetings. 

Jan. 3, 1832. Sabbath. Awoke with a weight of anxiety. 
Sought the Lord for his merciful aid. 0, that I were better 
qualified for the work of the ministry. The Lord help me. 
Went to meeting. Tried to stir up my dear church to examine 



60 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

themselves, and put away iniquity from their hearts, and cry 
unto God with importunity and with singleness for his effectual 
blessing. 

Some good effects appeared to result from the 
meetings, held for six days. During the follow- 
ing month, another day of prayer and fasting was 
observed ; and of the fruits of the work that year 
twenty were added to the church. In the year 
1835, fourteen were added, one of which number 
was Mr. Peet's eldest daughter, the second of his 
children, whom he was permitted to welcome to 
the table of Christ. 

During the years, from 1826 to 1837, he pur- 
sued his work substantially in the same manner, and 
employing the same means, that he had done in the 
earlier part of his ministry. And though his health 
was often feeble, and his labors, at several times, 
for weeks, and even months, entirely interrupted, 
they were years of distinguished usefulness. There 
were individuals in the congregation generally under 
serious impressions. 

The letter, addressed to him by one who is now 
a useful pastor in the Baptist denomination, which 
follows, expresses the regard for him cherished by 
the writer of it, and by some dozen other men with 
him, whom he encouraged and aided in entering 
upon literary pursuits, and in whose entrance upon 



THKEE-FOURTHS THE TIME. 61 

the work of the ministry he was, in a greater or 
less degree, instrumental. One of these was the 
Eev. Harrison Allen, Missionary of the Ameri- 
can Board to the Choctaw Indians, who died at 
Elliot, in the year 1831 ; and another, the Rev. 
Samuel Munson, who, in 1834, with his companion, 
the Rev. Henry Lyman, died a martyr to the cause 
of Missions, murdered by the Battas on the Island of 
Sumatra. 

Watervillb College, Oct Sth, 1832. 
Rev. and Dear Sir: 

Often have I resolved to take the liberty of addressing you. 
My only apology is, the affection which I have for you, as a spir- 
itual father in Christ. Often do I, in imagination, revisit the 
spot where we stood when God was pleased, by his Spirit, to set 
home to my heart your pressing admonitions to me, to seek an in- 
terest in Christ, and to seek first the kingdom of God and his 
righteousness. I returned home with the discovery that I was a 
wretched, undone sinner. I retired alone to plead for mercy. 
Hours and days passed away, but still the sound, Seek first the 
kingdom of God and his righteousness, was ringing in my ears. 
Your preaching subsequently was often like arrows to my heart ; 
especially the sermon concerning the young man in the Gospel, 
who came to Christ. At length it pleased God to display the 
riches of his grace, and, when I was on the borders of despair, to 
speak my sins forgiven. Think it not strange, dear sir, that I 
have that affection for you, that I have for no other. The bond 
which binds me to you, is that which binds a son begotten in the 
Gospel. The benefits I have received through you, concern my 
soul's salvation, and they take hold on eternity. You, I trust, 
was the instrument, in the hands of God, in plucking me, as a 
brand from the burning. It is that I may advance the cause of 
Christ more extensively, that I am now devoting my time to 



62 AT XORRIDGEWOCK THREE-FOURTHS THE TIME. 

study. I have many trials in respect to the great work of the 
ministry, not only because it is arduous, but because of my un- 
worthiness and feebleness. It is, however, a consolation, that 
God exhibits his condescension and the power of his grace, by 
employing such feeble instruments as men, to glorify his own great 
name. I hope, sir, God will abundantly succeed your labors, and 
that you may be the means of rescuing many a youth from 
eternal death. 

0, what joys are in reserve for you, when you shall have 
finished your work. I should esteem it a great favor if you could 
find time to write to me* 



CHAPTER IV. 



HIS MISSIONAEY LABOES. 



It* the preceding chapters, little notice has been 
taken of Mr. Peet's labors, except among his own 
people at Norridgewock. Here they were arduous, 
and abundant, and successful, perhaps, beyond what 
falls to the lot of most pastors wholly devoted to a 
single congregation. Half his Sabbaths, however, 
for twelve years, and a fourth of them for the eleven 
following years, he spent away from his own charge. 
And it may not be easy to determine, whether, dur- 
ing these years, the amount of good he accomplished 
was greater at Norridgewock, or elsewhere in the 
vicinity. No other method is suggested, which will 
so satisfactorily place before the mind of the reader 
a view of the extent, nature, and results of his labors 
abroad, as the giving of specimens from his mission- 
ary journals, taken almost at random. 

In the year 1816, he performed ten weeks' labor 
in the service of the Hampshire Missionary Society. 



64 MISSIONARY LABORS. 

Feb. 2, 1816. Being on a journey, by advice I spent the Sab- 
bath in Lovel, a destitute town in Oxford county. Preached 
twice to a small but very attentive assembly. Visited several 
families, including one sick individual. After reaching home, 
rode to Madison, and preached at a funeral. 

Second week. The county Association for the Reformation 
of Morals occupied some of my attention. Attended its meeting, 
and wrote in its behalf. Preached twice in Starks, where a third 
meeting was prevented by a great fall of snow. Visited six fami- 
lies, one sick woman, another widowed lady, recently bereft of her 
husband, and now beholding a daughter in the agonies of death. 
The neighbors being present, conversed and prayed with them 
before and after the daughter died. Attended her funeral. 

Third week. Preached once in Mercer ; twice in Belgrade ; 
and, on the Sabbath, twice in Dearborn, to a large and attentive 
assembly. 

Fourth week. Preached twice in Fairfield ; a contemplated 
meeting failing, on account of bad travelling. Visited four fami- 
lies, and distributed some Bibles, received from the Bible Society 
of Hallowell and Augusta. Preached at a funeral in a remote 
part of the town ; the family not belonging to my society. Visit- 
ed an afflicted family, whose child had just died. Preached again 
at a funeral. 

Fifth week. Preached three times in Madison to a full and 
attentive assembly ; and once, at a funeral. Visited ten families. 
Inspected their religious library, and left books for its increase. 

Sixth week. Preached in Anson three times. Visited a sick 
woman, and a neighborhood containing about a dozen families, in 
an extreme part of the town. Grave to each family an Evangeli- 
cal Primer, on the condition that their children should meet me 
in the neighborhood every fortnight, for the purpose of catecheti- 
cal instruction. 

Seventh week. Sorted and prepared some tracts for a society 
in Solon, which I had procured with money they had raised. At 
Solon attended a church meeting. Admitted a member, after 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 65 

hearing her religious experience. Another stated the grounds of 
his hope, and was propounded. Preached twice on the Sabbath, 
and administered the sacrament. Audience attentive and solemn. 
Visited nine families, and attended one prayer-meeting. 

Eighth week. Labored in Starks. Preached two lectures ; 
and twice on the Sabbath, to the largest assembly I had ever 
found in the place. Visited about ten families, and distributed 
Bibles and other books. 

Ninth week. At Industry. Failed at one lecture, from a 
melancholy death at home. Preached four times ; distributed 
some Bibles ; visited ten families. In one house was a dying 
woman, who expired soon after I left her. Attended a prayer- 
meeting. 

Tenth week. In Solon. Attended a church conference; 
preached three times ; admitted one man to the church ; and 
baptized six children. People very attentive and solemn, and 
the largest assembly I had ever seen in the place. Visited eleven 
families, and did some writing for the church. 

Journal of the year 1819, in the service of the 
same society. 

April 1 st. I spent the first week in New Sharon. This place 
I had visited, once a month, for some time past. I now found a 
revival commencing, of which there were hopeful appearances, at 
my last visit. Several had obtained hope. Attended one church 
meeting, and four other conferences. Conversed with the serious. 
Visited twelve families, preached four times ; administered the 
ordinance of the Supper, and baptized one child. Assemblies in- 
teresting and solemn. There were present several recent con- 
verts from Chesterville, where a good work is in progress. 

Second week. Spent in Madison, where I visited thirteen 
families ; some members of which had recently obtained hope, 
while others were serious. Preached three times, one lecture 
failing from want of notice. 



6$ MISSIONARY LABORS. 

Third week. At New Sharon. Found the good work still 
in progress ; several having obtained hope since my last visit. 
Hopeful converts about forty. Had conversation with a number 
of the serious, preached three times, attended two conferences, 
made eight family visits, admitted one person to the church, and 
administered the sacrament, and the ordinance of baptism. 

Fourth week. Spent in Solon. A few weeks ago, the little 
flock here were troubled by a root of bitterness, and had no one 
to restore peace ; but, by the blessing of God attending the labors 
of a Missionary, who providentially visited them at this juncture, 
the breach in the church was healed. And now several, who had 
recently obtained hope, manifested a wish to be added to their 
number. Six persons, during this visit, were examined and ap- 
proved by the church. Preached three times : attended one con- 
ference ; admitted six persons to the church, one of whom was 
baptized ; administered the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and 
made twelve family visits. 

Fifth week. In Freeman, New Portland, and Kingfield. 
Preached once at New Portland ; at Freeman three times ; and 
admitted one person to the church. At Kingfield preached once, 
and formed a religious library. Left books for the Sabbath 
school library, and sent more afterwards. Preached once at 
Strong. Visited in my tour about fifteen families. 

Sixth week. Preached once, and visited several families in 
Industry. At New Sharon, visited sixteen families, preached 
four times, admitted five persons to the church ; administered the 
sacrament of the Lord's Supper, administered baptism to four 
persons. A solemn and interesting day to me, and to many 
others. 

Seventh week. Made eight family visits, preached four times 
to attentive assemblies. 

Eighth week. After attending the meeting of the Maine Mis- 
sionary Society, at Augusta, returned to Fairfield, visited several 
families, and preached three times. 

Ninth week. At Solon. Preached three times, attended one 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 67 

conference, admitted two persons to the church, baptized one, and 
visited about fifteen families. 

Tenth week. Was spent in Madison. I preached four times, 
and visited one sick family, and four others. 

In the service of the same society, in the year 

1822. 

First week. At New Sharon. Here the Congregational 
church and society offer to make me half the compensation, if I 
will supply them, a fourth part of the time, for the year to come. 
Several members of the church recently much revived. Preached 
four times, and attended a prayer-meeting. 

Second week. Spent at Athens village, and in Madison. In 
the former place, a few individuals have raised one hundred dol- 
lars to procure a supply for one half the time. Preached on the 
Sabbath at Athens, and visited five families. Preached twice in 
Madison, and visited seven families. 

Third week. At New Sharon. Preached four times, attended 
a conference, administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 
and visited several families. 

Fourth week. In New Sharon. Preached three times ; rode 
a distance to visit a house, where was a young man near to death, 
I found he had recently obtained hope in Christ. Visited eight 
other families. 

Fifth week. At New Sharon. Made a number of family 
visits, and preached three times. Preached once in Mercer, where 
things wear a favorable aspect. A number of Congregational 
members have moved into the place, who, together with the few 
that may be gathered up in- town, will, it is thought, constitute a 
number sufficient to authorize the formation of a church. They 
are preparing a convenient place for worship ; and begin to think 
of raising something for the support of the Gospel. 

Sixth week. At New Sharon. Visited one sick woman, and 
eleven other families. Preached four times, and attended and open- 
ed a flourishing Sabbath-school. The assemblies unusually large. 



68 MISSIONAKY LABOES. 

Seventh week, Spent in Strong. Attended the anniversary 
of a Female Missionary Society, which I assisted in forming last 
year. Visited fourteen families. Preached on the Sabbath to 
crowded congregations. During the intermission, I urged upon 
them the Sabbath school. Administered the sacrament of the 
Supper, and preached three lectures. 

Eighth week. Spent in Solon and Madison. Preached twice 
on the Sabbath, and visited the Sabbath school. Yisited a num- 
ber of families, and labored to promote the settlement of a diffi- 
culty in the church. Preached twice in Madison. 

Ninth week. At New Sharon. Attended one meeting for 
prayer, preached five times ; administered the sacrament of the 
Supper, and baptized one child. Preached one lecture in Starks, 
visited a sick person, and attended a funeral. 

Tenth iveek. At New Sharon. Attended a conference and 
Sabbath school ; preached four times ; administered the sacra- 
ment, and visited twelve families. 

There is, in this vicinity, a disposition to make increasing ex- 
ertions to procure the Gospel, and also to give a more general at- 
tendance upon it, when enjoyed. In several places, where little 
or nothing has been done hitherto, subscriptions have been raised 
to procure the labors of a missionary one fourth of the time, on 
condition of paying one half of the compensation. In one in- 
stance, females subscribed; in another, different denominations 
united. And, I think, it is apparent also, that different denomi- 
nations are more disposed, not only to attend each other's meet- 
ings, but to accommodate and unite, than heretofore. On the 
whole, the cry, " Come over and help us," is heard from almost 
every quarter, and more distinctly. 

Some time "before Mr. Peet surrendered entirely 
his missionary labors, the Massachusetts Society, of- 
fering increased assistance as an inducement, urged 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 69 

the measure of his confining his labors to his own 
people. The secretary writes : 

" We have no confidence in the utility of divid- 
ing ministers, or cutting them in pieces, that one 
town may have one piece, and another town another 
piece. A whole minister is a blessing ; a divided 
minister is of more doubtful utility." It may be, 
that the time had come, when his people, instead of 
seeking for themselves his services for an additional 
quarter of the time only, should have secured his 
undivided labors. A whole minister had been 
better for them ; but it is still questionable, whether 
the general interests of religion were not greatly 
promoted by the fact, that, for the best part of his 
life, his labors were extended. All general rules 
must yield to circumstances and exigencies. 

He, who sent his Son into the world, having 
prepared the way for his coming, and raised up 
Martin Luther to be the instrument in the Protes- 
tant Reformation, after the world was brought into 
■a state fitted to feel his influence, has prepared the 
way for the stupendous system of missionary labor 
which now engages the heart of Christendom, and 
constitutes the chief instrumentality for the world's 
salvation. It was needful that the father of Samuel 
J. Mills, and other pastors in Connecticut, should 
leave their full-fed parishes, and, for two or three 



70 MISSIONARY LABORS. 

months in the year, visit the new and destitute 
regions of Vermont, and return and tell what they 
had seen and done. The son might never have 
thought of being a missionary, had he not been able 
to say, " I learned it of my father." And it was 
needful that the pastors in old time, on the lower 
Kennebec, should visit the wastes up the river, and 
that in these wastes there should be itinerants, Sew- 
all, Sawyer, Emerson, and others ; and then, that 
there should be an influence, more constant, steady, 
and abiding, than can be exerted by mere itinerants. 
Every enterprise has its beginning, and its consecu- 
tive steps of progress. There must be tens before 
there can be hundreds, and hundreds before there 
can be thousands. American missions could not 
have extended across a continent, from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific shores, without preparation. 

When, in 1814, Mr. Peet took charge of the 
church in JSTorridgewock, there was, with the ex- 
ception of the Kev. Fifield Holt, recently settled at 
Bloomfield, no other congregational pastor in the 
county of Somerset, but one in that part of Kenne- 
bec, now constituting the county of Franklin, and 
but four others, at Winthrop, Pittston, Hallowell, 
and Augusta, any where in the county of Kennebec. 
With these exceptions, no towns in these counties 
had ever received pastors. In Somerset, and the 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 71 

parts of Kennebec adjacent, there were but few 
churches ; and these few were small in number, weak 
in means, and many of them worried and distracted 
by petty divisions existing among the members. 
His labors as an itinerant, extended to some twenty- 
five towns ; his services every where being rendered 
doubly efficient and valuable from the facts, that 
he was known to be highly esteemed by an intelli- 
gent people at home ; that he dwelt in the vicinity 
of his labors, and was therefore, in the highest sense, 
responsible for all his measures and acts ; and that 
he was compelled to be a close applicant to study. 

The places most indebted to him for missionary 
labors are, Solon, Bingham, Madison, New Sharon 
and Mercer. In each of these towns he sustained, 
at different periods, the relation of a stated supply. 
In these locations, besides, as elsewhere, organizing 
a church, or reanimating one which had but a name 
to live, he aided them in removing difficulties, pro- 
moted habits of religious reading, interested himself 
in schools, and put in operation most of the agencies 
for the welfare of the people which he did at home. 
He observed system in his work, keeping in view 
permanent, and not merely temporary results. He 
was with them in the most interesting scenes and 
transactions of life ; when they were sick, and when 
there was death, and the burial of the dead ; when 



72 MISSIONARY LABORS. 

the young people were married; when the young 
and the more advanced in life were awakened and 
converted ; and when they joined the church ; and 
as often as they did sit at the table of Christ. In 
short, he was to the people of these towns very much 
what the affectionate, faithful, and successful pastor 
is to his own flock. 

" With a kindly heart, through the lapsing years, 
He hath shared your joys, he hath wiped your tears, 
He hath bound the wreath on the brow of the bride, 
He hath stood by the couch, when loved ones died ; 
Pointing the soul to a glorious heaven, 
As the ties which bound it to earth were riven." 

He was the first Congregational minister whom 
the writer distinctly remembers to have heard preach. 
He well recollects his first visit at Solon. The in- 
habitants of that town, like those in ISTorridgewock, 
were, many of them, recently from Pepperell, Gro- 
ton, and other towns in Middlesex county, Massa- 
chusetts, and the bordering towns in New Hamp- 
shire. They had not, for the most part, been edu- 
cated under a discriminating theology; but some 
were Congregational in their predilections. It was 
known that there was a missionary at Norridgewock ; 
and one man in Solon engaged to pay for two weeks' 
service, if the Missionary Society would also pay 
for an equal time. The arrangement was effected. 
The missionary arrived on Friday, preached on that 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 73 

day, and visited on the day folio wing. The Sabbath 
came. In a school-house of pretty good size, at one 
corner of a huge "fireplace built of stone, stood the 
preacher, tall and erect, his notes in his hand, and 
preached to the assembled people. It was a large 
gathering of men, youth, and women, not excepting 
mothers with their infants. Four Sabbaths' preach- 
ing from the same man was considerable for them 
in prospect. It concerned them to know what sort 
of a man the preacher was. As other sensible peo- 
ple do, in such cases, they put him on probation. 
Very closely they watched him in his preaching, and 
in their houses ; but, before the four Sabbaths had 
passed, they yielded him such a measure of their 
confidence, that they were very desirous that the 
people of Norridgewock should retain him, that so 
they might hear him more. Indeed, during these 
first Sabbaths, as he dispensed the Word, unfolding 
Christ and him crucified, the power of God, and the 
wisdom of God, " his speech not in enticing words 
of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit 
and of power, that their faith should not stand in 
the wisdom of men, but in the power of God ; " it 
was observable that some eyes were intently fixed ; 
and some countenances bore the marks of deep 
thought, and of commencing conviction. It is a 
wonderful power which the truth of God has on 



7-i MISSIONARY LABORS. 

men's consciences and hearts, spoken by his servants, 
who appear to be, and are, what they profess to be ; 
and when the Spirit gives it power. There were 
individuals who felt that the message was one demand- 
ing their deliberate and solemn attention, and who 
were constrained, like the noble Bereans, to go home 
and " search the Scriptures daily, whether those things 
were so." Among those thus affected was an intelli- 
gent and well-bred woman, recently from Quincy, 
Massachusetts, where she had imbibed other than 
evangelical views. Inch by inch she contested the 
ground, till she was obliged utterly to abandon the 
scheme, which represents that the sinner receives 
eternal life by works. Immediately it became her 
inquiry, " What shall I do ? " Directed in the way 
of the Gospel, and replying boldly to the minister, 
" Sir, you require what is impossible ; " she was, of 
course, told by him, "I require nothing. It is a 
question that you have to settle with your Maker 
and Judge." Controversy was soon terminated by 
submission. In this case the change was proved to 
have been genuine, by a long and eminently spiritual 
life, which has been but recently terminated. Mr. 
Peet continued to visit the people of Solon. Gradu- 
ally they gave him their confidence, convinced that 
he was the man he professed to be, till their 
trust became such as could not be shaken. He could 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 75 

lead them almost at pleasure. He saw not a few of 
them brought into the kingdom of Christ. Under 
his guidance the small branch church became inde- 
pendently organized, and was increased ; and, in the 
year 1824, received its own pastor. In New Sharon, 
and in Mercer, he was, perhaps, even more useful 
than in Solon. 

Ministers must be such that they may safely be 
put on trial, and will have the greatest power when 
they are most known. The plan of having them 
preach through life, merely as strangers to strangers, 
is not wise. If a feeble congregation cannot have 
its own minister, it should have one who comes 
as near to being its own minister as is possible. 
Then we may hope for permanent fruits, and fruits 
which, if they come slowly, when they come, are 
worth the having. The nearest approach to Christ 
present is the ministry he has ordained. " He that 
receiveth you, receiveth me." 

In his missionary labors, he was brought much 
into proximity with ministers and Christians of other 
evangelical denominations. "With them it was his 
habit to practise no concealments. Without dis- 
guise he pursued his work on his own principles, 
taking care of the interests of his own denomination, 
which he believed to be most conformed to the 
Gospel But with Christians of other names he de- 



76 MISSIONARY LABORS. 

sired and maintained a friendly intercourse. He re- 
joiced in their successes. To them he was just and 
generous, in his feelings and in his conduct. Ever 
seeking the salvation of souls, and prepared to 
rejoice in their conversion through whatever instru- 
mentality, he was ready to unite in services with 
others whenever it seemed to be wise, and he was 
never tempted to leave the work of his appropriate 
field to take part in labors growing out of a system 
of mutual piracy and plunder, which are sometimes 
the sin and the disgrace of the different families of 
Christ's followers. 

" Lovingly to each other sun and moon give place, 
Else were the mighty heaven for them too narrow space." 

At the early periods of his ministry the body 
often had hard fare. He was the owner of a noble 
and spirited horse, a most faithful and efficient com- 
panion of his travels, and a decided favorite with 
his owner. On the back of the horse or on foot, in 
many cases, he was obliged to pursue his journeys. 
In cases not a few, he was, without the fault of the 
animal, thrown off; or with him he was in peril 
in fording streams, passing through sloughs or over 
bridges, constructed of round poles, not well fixed, 
nor near to each other. He might stop at a house 
three miles distant from a place of meeting ; and he 



MISSIONARY LABORS. 77 

would walk the distance himself, that his horse 
might be mounted by a female, who must else lose 
the privilege of hearing a sermon. His boots were 
often full of water. When the system was in a state 
least fitted to endure it, the rain or the snow often 
found its way to the pillow on which he had laid 
his head, through crevices in the wall against him, 
or of the roof above him. In the severest weather 
known in Maine, having preached on Saturday, on 
the Sabbath, and on Monday, he many a time reach- 
ed his home at twelve o'clock of the night. But of 
these things he was not accustomed to speak, except 
in pleasantry, and to intimate friends ; and of 
them he thought as little as he said. 

He had reward for toils and hardships endured, 
in the fruits of his labors, sometimes immediately 
manifested ; and sometimes, revealed after the lapse 
of years. 

In one instance he had engaged to preach in a 
district in Mercer. When the day appointed ar- 
rived, a severe storm was prevailing, and the ways 
were so blocked with drifted snows, that his pro- 
gress was rendered all but impossible. In accord- 
ance with his general habit in such cases, he how- 
ever pressed on, and reached the school-house that 
had been designated. There he found a man 
and his wife, who, with himself, had encountered 



78 MISSIONARY LABORS. 

the raging elements, and were his only auditors. 
To them he preached the gospel; and then, with 
much difficulty and fatigue, and with some despon- 
dence, returned to his home. Some years after- 
wards, there was a revival of religion in that town, 
and among those who appeared before the world, as 
Christ's followers, was the woman above referred 
to, who attributed her awakening and conversion, 
under God, to the influence of the sermon at the 
school-house, to which herself and husband were the 
sole listeners. 

In his work, as a missionary, he preached abun- 
dantly, assisted in organizing seven churches, admit- 
ted about one hundred members, administered the 
ordinance of Baptism to a hundred and fifty persons, 
and that of the Lord's Supper more than one hun- 
dred and thirty times. "When, in 1837, he retired 
from these labors, instead of sixteen churches in the 
counties in which they were performed, as at the 
commencement, he saw thirty-nine churches ; and 
instead of six pastors he saw twenty-three, including 
five, who labored as a stated supply. In Somerset, 
as it then had become, instead of five, were sixteen 
churches ; and instead of two, were eleven pastors. 

The immediate effects of his labors, in new and 
destitute settlements, were very valuable ; their re- 
mote influence will be felt by successive generations ; 
and can be fully known, only in eternity. 



CHAPTEE V. 

AT NORRIDGEWOCK THE WHOLE TIME. 

Woeist with so many years of exhausting service, 
naturally inclined to despondence, and having ar- 
rived to fifty-seven years of age, it might well have 
been supposed that when, in 1837, his people com- 
pleted an arrangement by which he was to spend 
himself wholly for them, he would not be very en- 
ergetic or sanguine in his anticipations of great re- 
sults from future labors. But his hope was not 
broken, nor his zeal abated. On the contrary, for 
a period of at least eight years, he seemed to have 
new vigor in the prosecution of his work, bringing 
forth fruit with increase in old age. 

His people, besides increasing their subscription 
for his support, at the same time made considerable 
exertions, and incurred considerable expense, in se- 
curing, for their own exclusive use, the meeting- 
house, and in renovating it, so that they possessed 
a certain, convenient, and comely place for worship. 



80 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

An organ was soon furnished, and in due time a 
bell provided. These changes were to him ex- 
ceedingly gratifying and encouraging. He now de- 
voted more care than he ever had done before to 
his preparations for the pulpit, writing new dis- 
courses, and writing them throughout, and recast- 
ing and finishing the productions of former years. 
His sermons became now shorter and more chaste, 
while they lost nothing as to being impassioned. 
He still faithfully visited his people at their dwell- 
ings, and attended an unusual number of confer- 
ences, prayer-meetings, and lectures. The youth 
were instructed in the Bible class. He inculcated 
beneficence, and trained his flock, as well as him- 
self, to sympathize in every form of human suffer- 
ing, and to be ready for every good work in ad- 
vancing the cause of Christ at home and abroad. 

In his ministerial exchanges, it was now exceed- 
ing pleasant to him to visit congregations with 
which he had formerly labored, sharing in their 
joy and their sorrows. The confidence reposed in 
him, rendered him specially useful in the region. 
By his brethren in the ministry, in the neighbor- 
hood, he was not only respected, but regarded with 
a love and veneration approaching, in some cases at 
least, almost to a passion. 

His soul still delighted in revivals of religion ; 



THE WHOLE TIME. 81 

and judging from the accounts he gives in his diary, 
his spiritual experience was, at no former period, so 
rich and desirable. There were some difficulties in 
the church, which came very near to him, from the 
standing of the parties, and his former relations 
to them ; difficulties, the proper way to dispose of 
which, it may be, was not very apparent. This was 
to him a source of much sorrow, both before the ac- 
tion of the church in the case, and afterwards. And 
one can but weep to find, that in consequence of 
deficiency in the means of support, he was subjected 
to so much embarrassment and distress. But such a 
sense of dependence upon God, such a casting of 
cares upon him, such pleading with him, such mor- 
tification of sin and self, and such tenderness of spirit 
towards God, and towards men, as he exhibits ; are 
to be desired, by whatever means produced. It may 
seem that in his exercises there is a tinge of melan- 
choly. If so, it is not chiefly on his own account, 
nor for his own sake. It is as the sadness of the 
hero, whose soul is in the cause of his country. He 
may exult in victories achieved for her, but his heart 
is softened at the evils she experiences in the con- 
flict, — the bold hearts she loses, the treacheries of 
false friends, and the woes that are yet to come. 
What minister of Christ wishes to have a heart that 
shall render exemption from such sadness possible ? 



B2 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

The faithful have enough, though their joy, here, be 
chiefly of the nature of support, comfort and hope. 

"With inward consolation recompens'd, 
And oft supported. 1 ' 

The apostle of the Gentiles had no more, nor even 
the Saviour, himself, when he was on earth ; and it 
is enough, if his servants have as much. Christ 
wept over the sin and misery that were past a reme- 
dy, and they cannot wish not to be made sad by the 
evil in themselves, and in others, they cannot cure. 
Every faithful Christian, and especially, every good 
minister of the Gospel, while he lives, is in a warfare 
with the world, the flesh and the devil. 

" There is a time, when toil must be preferred, 
Or joy, by mistimed fondness, is undone. . 
***** * 

Much joy not only speaks small happiness, 
But happiness, that shortly must expire. 
Can joy, unbottom'd in reflection, stand? 
And in a tempest can reflection live ? 
Can joy, like thine, secure itself an hour ? 
Can joy, like thine, meet accident unshock'd? 
Or ope the door to honest poverty ? 
Or talk with threatening death, and not turn pale V 

Jan. 1st. 1838. I think, I do increasingly desire to be useful 
to my people and family, and to live to better purpose ; and my 
earnest prayer is, and has been, during, the wakeful hours of the 
past night, that I may not only be forgiven past deficiencies and 
unfaithfulness ; but have strength and grace to be more faithful, 



THE WHOLE TIME. 83 

and efficient, and successful in the work of the ministry, and in 
attempts to do good. 

Jan. 21th Attended a church conference. More interesting 
than usual. I trust the measure of visiting the members, by a 
committee, will prove to have been beneficial. More anxiety ex- 
pressed than usual, for a revival. 

Feb. 27th. Felt this morning a lighter heart than I have for 
a long time past. I want to believe that the Lord has heard my 
supplications. But I am too unworthy to be thus specially visited 
by God. And yet I know he does interpose in my behalf. To 
him I am indebted for all I have and am ; and in thousands of 
instances, I can say he has interposed for my help in temporal 
things, and in things pertaining to my office-work ; and to him I 
desire to ascribe the praise. 0, for more confidence in God. 
Lord, increase my faith. 

March 30th. Two young ladies called to converse on the sub" 
ject of offering themselves to the church, on the morrow. They 
appeared well. How delightful to see these precious lambs come, 
of their own accord, and seek admission to the fold. I trust, the 
good Shepherd will keep them, and feed them. may the num- 
ber be greatly multiplied. 

April 23d. Much tenderness and anxiety, while pleading 
with my only helper, this morning. At five, went to the inquiry 
meeting : from fifteen to twenty present. Some were indulging 
a trembling hope. It looked encouraging. Still I tremble lest 
the work should not go on. 

April 28th. Arose with a damper on my feelings, fearing 
that the work of God might not go forward. I went and threw 
myself down in my kneeling-place, in distress, for mercy. I felt 
to plead with earnestness, for some time, bathed in tears, that 
God would, in his sovereign mercy, in spite of our unworthiness, 
for the sake of his own glory, carry out and extend his work 
effectually and gloriously. I saw that he was able to do great 
things for us ; but I obtained no assurance that he would ; 
though it seemed I could no tlet him go. except he bless us. My 
feelings tender and solemn, through the day. 



8± AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

April '29th. A still deeper sense of unworthiness, insufficiency, 
and frailty. I feel that I am nothing, and can do nothing of my- 
self, to carry forward this work of grace. I could only lie, and 
beg that God would, of his own rich and self-moved mercy, make 
me what I should be, and carry on his work of grace mightily 
among us. I felt that a mighty work was needed, and that noth- 
ing, short of a mighty work of grace, would meet the exigencies 
of this place. I saw that he was able, and tried to get hold of his 
mighty arm; and for a considerable time before any other person 
had arisen in the house. I lay on my knees, and wept and pleaded, 
unwilling to let the Lord go, without some assurance of blessing, 
But this assurance I did not obtain. 

April oQth. The enemy of truth is not dislodged. What God 
has already wrought among us, though cause for great thankful- 
ness, I seem almost to overlook, in comparison with the greater 
work of mercy, which needs to be wrought. I fear God will not 
have mercy upon us. I know he is infinitely able to effect the 
work we need ; but I fear it is not his purpose. I fear that 
there is something among us, which renders it inconsistent for 
him thus to bless us. I cannot plead for the blessing with much 
confidence, on my own account, as being what I desire ; for I am 
not worthy to witness such a blessing, or to be instrumental in 
promoting it ; nor can I offer, as an availing plea, the well-being 
of these multitudes ; for they do not deserve it. But may I not 
plead the honor of his own great name 1 — that he will glorify him- 
self, in defending his own cause ; and I think, I try to use this 
plea. But here again, unbelief suggests, he can glorify himself 
in another way, with respect to those who are so ill deserving as 
we are. I get no assurance of the blessing we need. I feel that 
I lie. and that we all lie at the sovereign mercy of a holy God, 
and that it would be just if we should be left ; and still. I am 
distressed. What is for us, I know not. The Lord have mercy 
on me, and give me grace and faith, and remove whatever is in 
me that may hinder his work, and teach me to do his will. The 
Lord have mercy on us all ! 

May 3d. Had some sense of God's sovereignty and great- 



THE WHOLE TIME. 85 

ness, and the suitableness of his having mercy on whom he will 
have mercy ; and of his amazing condescension in regarding the 
prayers of such worthless, helpless creatures, as we are. I felt 
exceedingly small in his sight, unworthy, even, to stand still, and 
see the salvation of GJ-od. It seemed, that neither my prayers, 
nor any thing I can do, could avail much with the holy, glorious 
Saviour of the universe. My feelings were tender. I felt to take 
a low place ; and I tried to commit myself, and my people, to 
him ; and I rejoice to know, that he can carry on his glorious work, 
without my aid ; though it is my heart's desire and constant 
prayer, that I may do nothing to hinder the work, but something 
to advance it. 

May 17th. Preached, not with high feelings and self-confi- 
dence, but with a shade of despondency. How unworthy to have 
a standing in the sacred ministry. The Lord help me to know, 
and do my duty, in the circumstances in which I am placed. 

June %\st. This, I am reminded, is my birth-day. Is it pos- 
sible that I have lived fifty-eight years ? How rapid have been 
their flight. How have they been filled with sins and perplexities, 
toils and despondencies ! and yet how many, and great, and con- 
stant the mercies of the Lord ! How little have I accomplished 
with all my struggles ! I have much cause for thankfulness, and 
much, very much, for humiliation. 

Nov. \\th. Though a member of the church came to me, at 
noon, and told me, he never heard a better sermon, yet this did 
but little relieve my feelings. The facts, that I am so interrupt- 
ed, have so little time for study, when I need so much, and that I am 
so perplexed, embarrassed, cramped and discouraged, that I can 
accomplish but little when I enter my study — these facts must, 
and do, so affect my preparation for the pulpit, that I am exceed- 
ingly tried. It is a great affliction. I feel that I am not doing 
properly the work of an evangelist, and that I cannot expect a 
blessing on such defective, distracted services. 

Sabbath, Feb. od, 1839. Rose not early, and felt not well. 
Had an impressive sense of my frailty. This impression was in- 
creased by an account in the Christian Mirror, on which my eye 

T 



AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

fell, of the death of my class-mate, Key. Perez Chapin, of Pownal. 
With this beloved brother I spent a night in September last, 
when he appeared in perfect health. I was much surprised with 
this intelligence. Felt deeply my need of help. Preached twice. 
To my naturally desponding mind things look rather dark : but I 
desire, and pray, to be enabled to trust in God. 

Sabbath. March 3d. A cold stormy morning. Prospect of 
but few people at the sanctuary ; but be they few, or many. I am 
called to speak to them in the name of the Lord. Who is suffi- 
cient for these things ? I feel, that I am not, especially at such 
a time as this. Stupidity prevails ; delusive error abounds ; our 
church is in trouble. Our nation is chargeable with high-handed 
wickedness, and wickedness too, which is connived at, and even 
supported, by a majority. We are threatened with war. Al- 
ready thousands are on the way to the field of battle. Others of 
our young men are detached. Our physician is appointed Sur- 
geon General of the army. 

April 1st. 1840. My heart seemed melted into tenderness: 
and I felt an ardent panting after the favor, guidance and aid of 
my only helper, that he would bestow upon me, and my family 
and people, his abundant grace : and strengthen me for my work. 
and give success ; for my insufficiency I deeply felt. 

June 2\st. This proves to be my birth-day. Threescore 
years have fled, since I first saw the light. I feel admonished 
and humbled : admonished, that I am far in the down hill of life : 
humbled, that I have accomplished so little good, during this 
length of time. 

Aug. 2d. How solemn is the Sabbath ! How responsible 
the work of it ! Numerous souls are coming to the sanctuary, to 
hear the word of God, from my feeble lips. How insufficient for 
these things ! How much I need assistance, not only to divide 
the word rightly, but to do it with right feelings, and in a man- 
ner adapted to make proper impressions. Was enabled to speak 
with ease to myself, and with some feeling, and to do better, as to 
matter and manner, than my fears, and feel that I have reason to 
be thankful. 



THE WHOLE TIME. 87 

"'"April 9th, 1841. Felt deeply the need of divine guidance and 
grace, for myself, and also for the members of my dear family. 
Unusually solicitous for my sons. They are now thrown upon 
this ensnaring, treacherous, disappointing world ; and with noth- 
ing but their hands to aid them, are struggling hard to acquire a 
living. I tried to commend them to God anew, and to implore 
his direction and assistance, and his blessing, to succeed them, so 
far that they may be useful members of society, and especially, 
that by their influence, they may aid the cause of truth and re- 
ligion, and inherit, in the end, a better portion than this world 
gives to any of its children. 

June 1th. Endeavored to commit my way unto the Lord ; 
and to implore his direction and blessing, as needed. I felt also 
to commit my dear family to him, as a separation takes place 
W., who is, this day, twenty-one years of age, leaves the parental 
roof. He goes in company with his mother, but does not return 
with her. The Lord preserve him from every snare and tempta- 
tion, prosper his way, and render him useful. 

April 24tk, 1842. With much feeling and many tears, I 
sought the Lord for help. Distressed in view of my insufficiency 
for the work, which needs to be done, and in view of the state of 
things among us, and in our country. Our Zion is covered with 
a cloud. Oh ! our thoughtless youth. I tremble for them. I 
fear that the people of God do not feel enough for them. Where 
are the wrestling Jacobs among us ? Except the Lord interpose, 
many among us must perish. The Lord direct me. 

Dec. 31st. I think I can record, that during the year that 
has now closed, I have had more tenderness, and fervency, and 
earnestness of spirit, in pleading with G-od for mercy, for help and 
for grace, than heretofore. I have deeply felt my need of help 
from God, and unto God I have cried from day to day. Probably 
have never shed so many tears, in any former year, as during the 
past. It seems to me, that my soul has panted after God, his 
grace and help. It has seemed, that God was near. I could 
plead with him, and leave my cause with him. I have had no 
rapturous feeling ; know not, that I have experienced any^special 



AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

manifestation of the light of God's countenance ; yet I have felt 
a degree of quiet and calmness, after crying to God for help, and 
leaving my cause with him. Very often, when I have risen 
from my bed, before the light of day appeared, such a sense of 
my frailty, insufficiency, unworthiness and wants, has rushed upon 
me. that I could but fall upon my knees, and only give vent to 
my feelings, and plead for mercy, for a time, before I could specify 
any other petition. And though I know not, that I have received 
answers to my prayers for the prosperity and enlargement of the 
church, the revival of religion, and the conversion of sinners, yet 
my prayers for myself and family seem to have been answered, to 
some extent. Sicknesses have been healed and life prolonged ; 
guidance and aid have been realized, in my preparation for public 
duties, and in the performance of them, beyond my fears, or what 
I had reason to expect. And beyond my expectation, too, I have 
been enabled to meet pecuniary demands, when things looked 
dark. Yet such are my deficiencies, my unprofitableness and un- 
worthiness, that it seems too much for me to expect, that my 
prayers will be answered. I feel, that I have great reason for 
thankfulness and for trusting in God ; and my earnest desire is, 
that I may be enabled to trust in God more unwaveringly. May 
the past be forgiven ; and may I have grace to live to better pur- 
pose, the little time I may be continued. 

Jan. 1st, 1843. The year begins with the Sabbath. " Seek 
ye first the kingdom of God."' First in the order of time, as well 
as first in interest from its magnitude and importance. First in 
the day, and first in the year. How much more becoming sinful, 
dying mortals, to spend the first day of the year in contemplating 
the rapid flight of their probation, in inquiring into their prepara- 
tion for death, and in imploring forgiveness for the past, and 
grace for the future, than to spend it in vain mirth, as too many 
do. Preached from Job 16: 22. When a few years are come 
then I shall go the way, whence I shall not return. Think I 
have not been left, this day, entirely to my own native barren- 
ness. 

Jan. 16th. Rose early, and read awhile in the Apocalypse — 



THE WHOLE TIME. 89 

Mysterious book ! How little do I certainly know of it ! Oh to 
be enlightened. My soul pants after a knowledge of divine 
things. How pleasant it would be, to have more time for read- 
ing. 

Oct. 29th. I find that it is just thirty years, to-day, since I 
preached in Norridgewock, for the first time. I was then thirty- 
three years of age. Thirty years have I spent in the ministry, 
in Norridgewock, and vicinity. Whether I have done any good, 
and how much, if any, the great day will disclose. I fear, it will 
be found to have been but little. It will be a great mercy, if I 
am not reckoned an unprofitable servant. At any rate, I am ad- 
monished, that my ministry must be drawing near its close. How 
many men, of far greater promise, have been taken away, and not 
allowed to spend half the time in the ministry, that has been al- 
lowed me. Mysterious are the ways of Providence. 

Nov. 2ith. Conscience reproved me for unfaithfulness, in 
omitting to converse with the young people visiting us, last even- 
ing, on the subject of religion, and to pray with them, as has been 
my custom. 

Aug. 30th, 1845. Had some serious reflections, contem- 
plating the Being and perfections of God, and his wonderful works 
in the natural, as well as in the moral world. I had such a sense 
of my circumscribed knowledge of them, as distressed me. I felt 
such a desire, to see and know more of God and his works, as 
caused me to weep, almost aloud. ! to see and know more of 
the glorious God, and of his wonderful works, and to be more 
conformed to his will, and efficiently devoted to his service. But 
my desires are ineffectual. Here I plod along, and make but lit- 
tle advances, if any, in the knowledge of divine things, and in con- 
formity to the divine will. 

March 20th, 1849. Rose, panting after the divine blessing 
on me and mine, and for aid in duty. In retirement, implored 
earnestly God's mercy for all the members of my family, for my 
grandchildren, the church, the children of the church, and those 
among us, who have long stood aloof from Christ and his gospel. 

Sept. 1st. Autumn has again arrived. How rapid has been 



90 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

the flight of summer. How soon my waning life will have run 
out, The thought of leaving the world, without having accom- 
plished more, is humiliating. 

Sept. 13th. My usual routine of exercises, in the morning, is 
the following : I rise when it begins to be light, feeling not very 
vigorous ; but feel brighter after having taken my shower-bath. 
Then, such a sense of responsibility, insufficiency and need of 
light, direction and help, rushes upon me, as brings me upon my 
knees in earnest supplication, with many tears. After unbur- 
dening my soul at the mercy-seat, which is a great relief, I go 
about my secular concerns, which usually occupy me till break- 
fast. After breakfast, and prayers in the family, I go to my 
study. To-day, I entered it earlier than usual, and fixed on a 
subject for a sermon, and wrote through the day. 

During the year 1846, for a period of five 
continuous months, he was laid aside from his la- 
bors, by bodily indisposition ; and from the same 
cause, for about three months, in the year following. 
Afterwards, at different times, there were successive 
weeks, when he was unable to preach. But still, 
usually, he kept on his way, with a singular energy 
of determination; writing and preaching, about as 
in former days. In the year 1850, his buildings 
were all put in a state of complete repair, his grounds 
enlarged and adorned, his important debts all can- 
celled ; and thus, through the agency of a benignant 
Providence, his mind was relieved of a burden, 
which had not ceased to press heavily, for the space 
of near forty years. His merciful God had endow- 



THE WHOLE TIME. 91 

ed one of his own family with the means, and the 
disposition, to bring him effectual relief. 

During his illness in the year 1846, he journeyed 
a part of the summer, in company with his eldest 
son, for the benefit of his health. The following is 
part of a letter written by him, at that period. 

Saratoga Springs, July 25, 1846. 
My Dear Wife: 

The truly welcome letters from yourself and S and M , 



reached me Wednesday noon, the time I expected them. I should 
have been sadly disappointed, had they not arrived. We had fixed 
on the next day to leave. But the fortnight had slipped away so 
quickly, and we were thought to he improving so well, we concluded 
to defer it, till the first of next week ; and spend the Sabbath here, 
and not in New- York. The letters gave us great pleasure. It was 
affecting to perceive so much affection and concern expressed in 
them. Tell Sarah, I love to have her think of me with affection, 
but do not wish she should " keep awake, nights," on my account. 
Tell her, that she, and the other members of our family, not ex- 
cepting the dear little ones, are not out of mind long at a time. 
They constitute no small part of my burden at the mercy seat. 
And it is no small relief, that while I am absent from them, and 
can afford them no assistance, I may implore the protection and 
blessing of One, who is ever present with them, who knows their 
wants, and is able to do them all the good they need. 

As I stated in my last, that we expected to leave here on 
Thursday, you may possibly be expecting me at home, before the 
first sabbath in August. But that I shall not be able to accom- 
plish. I must spend one night in Troy. I shall not reach New- 
York till Wednesday or Thursday ; and must stop, a day or two. 
in that city. 

I have written three letters to-day, before this ; one to Ben- 
son, one to Wheelock, and a long one to my sister, Barber, at 
Enosburgh. 



92 AT N0RR1DGEW0CK 

We have truly a pleasant company — somewhere about forty : 
a third part of whom are ladies, and about half of the gentlemen, 
ministers. It is interesting to see this company all bowed around 
the domestic altar morning and evening ; all, or nearly so, pro- 
fessors of religion. Yesterday the widow of Daniel A. Clark, and 
her son, came. He is settled in the ministry. 

I have not been at all anxious to become acquainted with 
every body here ; but have been much inclined to be alone, and 
have indulged that inclination, to a greater extent than most 
others ; still I could not help forming acquaintances that are 
very pleasant, and I have become much attached to numbers. I 
should regret leaving this delightful place, were it not for the 
fact, that 1'have ties so much stronger, acquaintances so much 
dearer, and duties to perform so much more interesting, else- 
where. This being the fact, I can break away without grief, and 
even feel glad to leave it, and^all the pleasure-seeking multitudes, 
as well as invalids, that resort here ; and wend my way back to my 
own dear family and people, and to my work, arduous and respon- 
sible though it be ; and, I hope, I may be strengthened to resume 
that work, for a little time. It must be short, at best. 

The following are extracts from letters written 
to his son, William Henry, at New- York. 

Aug. 27, 1846. 

Edward has just informed me, that you have not yet gone to the 
South, but will go, next week. I suspend my preparations for 
the Sabbath, for a few moments, to write a line to you, lest it 
should not reach you, before you leave. 

I have preached every Sabbath, since I returned home, and 
expect to preach, next Sabbath. I have received some accession 
of strength. Your mother is unwell, and seems threatened with 
fever. The reading of your last letter made us feel rather sad, 
as it brought to mind things, so likely to be realized. The social 
enjoyment of our family circle is, in all probability, to be more 
and more interrupted. It seems to be the will of Providence, 



THE WHOLE TIME. 93 

that children, to a great extent, as they arrive to mature years, 
shall be separated from their parents. And then time and the 
destroyer will make inroads upon our number, and thin our ranks ; 
so that if not locally separated, some of our number will soon be 
missing from the social circle. After reading your letter, and re- 
marking upon it, on looking up, I perceived, that your mother's 
face was covered. 

Since changes must take place in our family, and we know not 
what, or when they will occur, it concerns us to be prepared for 
changes, whatever they may be, and whenever they may occur. 
Aware, that we are liable to separations, at any hour, let us be 
prepared to meet, in a world of purer affection, and nobler bliss ; 
" give diligence to make calling and election sure." 

April 1, 1847. 
We thank you for details given us of your sickness, and be as- 
sured, our hearts were deeply affected by the fact, that you had 
been brought apparently so near to the eternal world, as to ex- 
pect that your immortal spirit would, in a few hours, enter it, 
while you imagined what would be our feelings, when your life- 
less remains should be presented at our door. We are affected, 
in view of the mercy of G-od, in sparing your life, and exempting 
us from such a cup of woe. We wish you to express our warmest 
thanks to Mrs. W. for her kindness to our son ; and to other 
friends, who have shown so distinguished kindness to one dear to 
us, when sick among strangers. Our prayer, in their behalf, is 
that our heavenly Father, who has seen all, and is able, will be- 
stow on them a rich reward. Run not any great risks, for the 
sake of securing a little trash ; much as it may be needed, life is 
worth more ; and so is health, especially at your age. At my 
time of life, the system loses, in a measure, its tone ; the powers 
of life become less vigorous ; infirmities creep on ; chronic com- 
plaints make their appearance ; and as a consequence of all. one 
feels indisposed, and has not the ambition, courage and vigor to 
accomplish what he once could. But this is not so disastrous, as 
for a young man, in the prime of life, to be laid aside. 



04 AT X01UUDGETT0CK 

Your sickness must have interrupted your business, and di- 
minished the profits. This getting-rich-quick. is not so sure and 
easy, I apprehend, as some have imagined. Property is a coy. 
treacherous, slippery thing. It is hard for most to get possession 
of it : and when it is acquired, it is difficult to get a title to it. 
that will insure its retention. Yet some portion of it is very con- 
venient, and seems to be really needful. Though a little more 
would be convenient for me, I have no expectation of increasing 
mine. How pleasant to turn away and contemplate " durable 
riches and righteousness." Let us strive to :: make our calling 
and election sure ;" that we may have comfort amid the perplexi- 
ties of life, and support, when the world, and all its objects, shall 
recede from our view. 

December 14. 184*7. 

As I was visiting a family, the other day. a man offered me 
the loan of a book, to be read at my leisure. I told him, I had 
no leisure. I know not how it is in New-York, but with us, at 
Xorridgewock, it is a fact, that the days, about this time, are 
very short. I have to economize, somewhat rigidly, to secure 
time for my official work. 

I must again urge you not to let your business cause you to 
expose or neglect your health. We thought, and talked much of 
you, and Edward, on Thanksgiving day, experiencing a lack of 
social enjoyment, occasioned by your absence. George, and his 
pleasant family, were with us. 

July 26, 1848. 
Will you believe me, when I say, I have just returned from 
the funeral of our much esteemed and ever faithful friend, Dea. 

William W. D % It is even so : the faithful tomb has unveiled 

its bosom, and received his remains to its trust. He fell asleep 
in Jesus, yesterday, while in his field — dropped down without a 
moment's warning. One groan, and a gasp or two, were all the 
signs of life, exhibited by him, after he fell. God has called his 
servant home, and in a manner, to save him from the agonies of a 
lingering death, the pains of a long and wasting sickness, and the 



THE WHOLE TIME. 95 

anguish of leaving his plans and designs unaccomplished ; and of 
seeing the distress of weeping friends around his dying bed. His 
trials are over — his struggles to support religion ; the peace and 
prosperity of the church ; the support of the gospel ; and the 
cause of godliness. He was a useful man, an important pillar in 
the church. I know not how to do without him. I highly prized 
his suggestions, advice and co-operation. I have lost, not only 
an important helper, but a tried and faithful friend. But the 
Lord has done it, and his work is perfect. His church is infinite- 
ly dearer to him, than it is to us. 

" Yet in the midst of death, and grief, 

This thought, our sorrows shall assuage ; 
Our Father and our Saviour live — 

Christ is the same through every age." 

The consideration that I have accomplished so little for my 
family, or for the churcii and cause of Christ, makes me desirous 
to do something more before I am called away ; if it might be. 
Yet what hope could I have of doing better, if life should be pro- 
longed a little ? I leave all with Him who rules in wisdom.. 

Norridgewock, March 3, 1851. 
My Dear William: 

Yours of the 17th ult. reached me about the middle of last 
week. Being unusually pressed, and somewhat indisposed, I 
could not conveniently answer it till after the Sabbath. My 
work you know, cannot, like that of other men, be put over to 
another week. Besides, I thought it best to defer a little, as I 
learned that S. was writing at that time. 

When the news came by telegraph to Portland, of the de- 
struction of the St. Charles Hotel, we were in a state of anxious 
suspense as to your safety ; and our anxiety, we saw, must con- 
tinue for some time, as it did till we received your letter, four- 
teen days after the fire. 



96 AT NORRIDGEWOCK 

Your account of the conflagration of the Hotel was thrilling ; 
but I need explanation. Why did you put yourself in situa- 
tions so perilous, when there was no more necessity for it ? 

You have great cause to be thankful for deliverance from perils, 
and for the remarkable prosperity which has attended you hitherto. 
'' Be not high-minded but fear." Keep in mind your entire de- 
pendence. Do not for a moment lose sight of it. You have been 
solemnly admonished how easy it is for riches to take wings and 
fly away ; and how easy and how common for the frail life of the 
possessor to be taken from the enjoyment of them at any time. 
We feel no ordinary interest in your welfare, life and health. 

With respect to religious affairs, they remain much as they 
were in the autumn ; though I think some increased interest is 
apparent, especially in relation to external things. A subscrip- 
tion has been raised for painting the meeting-house. Our con- 
gregation has been rather increasing for some time ; and as a fur- 
ther improvement, we have a good bell. It is known whence it 
came ; and the donor will not soon be forgotten. We love to 
hear its peals. At a conference, on Thursday last, one individual 
offered herself for admission to the church. It appeared at this 
meeting, that some of the members had experienced quickening 
influences, and were praying for a revival of religion with more 
than their usual earnestness. 

There is a very heavy body of sdow on the ground ; the fences 
are almost covered ; but they will be visible again, I think, in the 
Spring. May Providence protect and keep you. 

Your affectionate father, 

J. Peet. 

The following is from a letter to his eldest son 
and wife, written by him immediately after their 
marriage. 



THE WHOLE TIME. 97 

Nokeidgewock, July 15th, 1851. 
My Dear Son and Daughter : 

A letter and paper came to us on Saturday night, informing 
us that your marriage was solemnized on Wednesday last in the 
far off city of New-York. So then your long contemplated union 
has at length been consummated, and you, who were two, are no 
longer " twain." 

# # # # # # # 

I would say to you, as I have said to others, in similar 
circumstances, that this is an important period in the history of 
your lives. You now enter more fully upon the great theatre of 
action, as a family, as members of the community, as members of 
the church ; and as such are now to act your part. How impor- 
tant that you act it well. See to it that you do it in a manner 
worthy of your abilities, your advantages, and your professions. 
You are happy now; and it is perhaps the great object with you 
to continue to be so. We hope for your continued happiness. 
But you are aware that our Bible and our religion teach us, that 
we are not to live merely for present enjoyment, but are to be 
active to do good, to practise self-denial, indeed to find our happi- 
ness in so doing. Besides, happiness will not continue, as a 
matter of course. Something is requisite to maintain and per- 
petuate it ; — the faithful performance of duty, and efforts to pro- 
vide the means. Fidelity to duty, and activity and energy in the 
work of life, are essential. The inspired direction is : " Diligent 
in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." This precept is 
to be heeded, though it involve self-denial. 

May you be returned in safety, prosecute the work of life suc- 
cessfully, and receive in the kind providence of God, in the way of 
duty, all that prosperity and happiness which it shall be consistent 
for Him to bestow, and best for you to receive. 

All send love to you both, and to W. I am daily expecting 
to hear from him. 

From your affectionate father, 

J. Peet. 



CHAPTER YI. 

HIS LAST SICKNESS AND HIS DEATH. 

He preached twice on tile second Sabbath in 
June, 1851 ; when he was taken ill, and prostrated 
for the summer. His work was now almost finished. 

"With labor spent, no longer can lie wield 
The heavy falchion, or sustain the shield, 
O'erwhelmed with darts." 

During this period his bodily sufferings were 
considerable ; but his mind was comfortable and 
serene. For the most jjart he was able to see and 
converse with his friends ; and truly it was a privi- 
lege to be with him, and listen to his words. There 
was a ripeness in his views, and a fixedness in his 
faith that made the visitor feel himself in the pres- 
ence of a sage, like Paul the aged, lifted above the 
mists of sin, and the clouds that bewilder sense. 
His faith was "the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen." He conversed much 
of the state of the church, the country, and the 



HIS LAST SICKNESS AND HIS DEATH. 99 

world ; of the blissful changes which the gospel shall 
effect, and of Heaven. Beyond his own anticipa- 
tions, and those of his friends, his system, in a de- 
gree, rallied ; so that in September he was enabled 
to attend the meeting of the American Board in the 
city of Portland ; after which, in company with Mrs. 
Peet, he proceeded to New York and spent some 
weeks comfortably with his son, resident in that 
city. 

The following are extracts from his journal after 
the suspension of his public labors, in June : 

June 2lst. This day makes me 71 years of age ; and the fact 
administers a solemn admonition. I have passed my " threescore 
years and ten," and my illness is a still louder admonition, as it 
may terminate my earthly course. That it will, is the opinion of 
others ; and I am led to inquire whether I am ready. For this I 
desire and strive. 

Sabbath^ June 22d. Had a distressed night. The physician 
was called in early. I had nearly lost consciousness. He watched 
me for a while to see whether life was departing. At length I 
revived, relieved in a measure from previous distress. Mr. E. H« 
called, who had kindly come to preach to my people. As I roused 
a little I found it some comfort that they were to be supplied. A 
collection of about twenty dollars was taken up for the Maine 
Missionary Society. 

July 1 Oth. Interrupted in my sleep ; but better this morning 
than yesterday. Wrote names on 170 papers — Messengers, 
Journal of Missions, Day Spring, and Mother's Magazine, to be 
distributed among my people. Received a letter from my only 
sister, in Vermont, who is two years older than myself, a widow, 
having three sons and three daughters, and twenty-one grand- 
children. 

July 28th. Hope I am improving; but still languid and 
restless. Have not left the house for more than six weeks. 



100 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

Aug. \st. This morning bad a most refreshing and invigora- 
ting ride with Mr. S., which seemed to give me new life for the 
rest of the day. 

Sabbath, Aug. 3d. Still improving. Thankful that it is so well 
with me. and that my people are again supplied with preaching. 
They have been supplied every Sabbath excepting two, since the 
8th of June. Mr. S. preached and attended the Monthly Con- 
cert ; and will preach on the two next Sabbaths. 

Aug. ith. There is now some prospect that I may resume my 
work soon ; if so. I cannot expect to pursue it long. I wait the 
indications of Providence. Hope I may be submissive. Rode a 
few miles accompanied by my wife. 

Sabbath, Aug. 24th. Rose at 5 o'clock, after a comfortable 
night. Contemplated my indebtedness to Grod for my being and 
preservation, for giving me a family ; for what he has done for me 
and for my family. I am permitted to indulge the hope that all 
the members are made the trophies of his grace. .May it prove 
to be a reality. What cause for thankfulness, also, for his pre- 
serving mercy and providential care and kindness. I longed to 
have more transforming views, and a more affecting sense of his 
goodness and mercy. Six persons have gone to meeting from our 
house, leaving me alone. How happy that my people are so ac- 
ceptably supplied with preaching. May a divine blessing attend 
preaching to-day, and the labors of Mr. among us be in- 
strumental of saving good to souls. 

Aug. 30th. Attended a church conference ; the first religious 
meeting I have attended since the first of June. I read and re- 
marked upon the first part of the first chapter of Philippians ; 
after which Mr. S. prayed, and others remarked and prayed. Al- 
lusions to myself so affectionate, and thanks for my recovery in 
part, to health, so feelingly employed, caused me to be humble, as 
being unworthy of such regard. 

Sabbath, Aug. 3 1st. In the morning went to the sanctuary for 
the first time since the 8th of June. It was pleasant to look upon 
the congregation again after so long a time ; join in the public 
worship of God ; listen to the sweet tones of the organ, and hear the 
gospel preached. Mr. S. preached on the superior blessedness of 
giving in aid of the cause of Christ, and a collection of more than 



AND HIS DEATH. 101 

thirty dollars was taken for foreign missions. I did not attend in 
the afternoon, nor at the concert at 5 o'clock. 

September 1st. So then the summer has passed, and I have 
preached but two Sabbaths, since it commenced. But have I 
lost the summer ? True, I have not performed any manual labor, 
nor done any thing for the cause of Christ and the G-ospel ; and 
I have made work for my family. Still, as I have been under the 
discipline of the Divine hand, and been solemnly admonished of 
my frailty, I ought to have been profited, and perhaps may have 
been, more than if I had been allowed to labor, as usual. Surely, 
I have cause for thankfulness. 

Sabbath, Sept. 7th. Brother H. preached for us ; supplied at 
home by Mr. B. I attended meeting, and assisted in the adminis- 
tration of the sacrament. 

His eldest son and wife, and his youngest daugh- 
ter, September 10th, attended their parents to 
Waterville, and saw them comfortably set out from 
thence, by railroad, for New- York. Having spent 
two days in Portland, and several days, including a 
Sabbath, with a nephew at Fall River, he reached 
New- York, on the 18th. Though feeble, and evi- 
dently impressed with the conviction that his stay 
below was extremely uncertain, he enjoyed much 
his visit with his son, and other friends in that city ; 
and seems to have been equally, as at any former 
period, an interested observer of the works of na- 
ture and art ; as well as alive to matters of philan- 
thropy and piety. His principal home was at the 
family mansion of Mr. "W., in Brooklyn. 

Sabbath, Sept. 21 st. Sleep during the night much interrupted ; 
but feel much at home, as the family are very kind and generous. 



102 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

Tried to commit myself and family to my Heavenly Father's 
care and disposal. 

Sept. 26th. Eeceived a slip from E., inclosed in a letter to 
W., informing ns that all is well at home ; and the pulpit provid- 
ed for, several Sabbaths to come. W. took his carriage, and 
going to the ferry we took in the wife of cousin H. Her sister 
and Mrs. M. met there by arrangement, making six of us, in two 
carriages ; and being joined by Mr. W. and wife, all rode to 
Greenwood Cemetery, a truly wonderful place. We spent an 
hour or two among the numerous monumental receptacles of the 
dead. The cemetery contains three hundred acres, beautifully 
variegated by swell and dale ; the underbrush removed, and the 
grounds densely shaded by trees rendered smooth. It is solemn 
to me. What a multitude are already deposited here. Returning 

we went to " First Place," and examined one of ■ 's houses. 

Ascending to the top, we had the most beautiful, grand and ex- 
tensive views I ever beheld. All, pressingly invited, went to Mr. 
W.'s and took tea. 

September 29th. Mr. T. called, and walked with me to the 
Navy Yard. Here are exhibited in due order, long rows of large 
cannon, suitable for large ships of war, and numerous stacks of 
cannon-balls. I also examined the interior of a man of war. a 
large vessel, rigged for service, having three rows of guns on 
each side. Such are the formidable and costly preparations for 
the destruction of human life ; such the deadly implements for 
human slaughter. Cannons, balls and shells ! How much more 
is expended for destroying life, than for saving souls. 

Sept. %$th. Mr. T. called, and we visited the Glass-house, 
and Brooklyn Heights, where we had a fine view of New-York. 
In the afternoon, rode to cousin H.'s, where we spent the night, 
at the Asylum for the deaf and dumb. The President and his 
wife, and two sons, who are Professors, and the steward, all of 
the family of Peet. Also Mrs. M., sister of the President. 

Oct. 1st. Made an excursion to the High Bridge. It is a 
stupendous fabric of exquisite workmanship, having fifteen arches, 
sixty feet high ; on the top of which runs the Croton water, 
brought forty miles in two cylindrical pipes, three feet in diame- 
ter, at a cost of nearly 820.000.000. Spent the afternoon in 



AND HIS DEATH. 103 

visiting the Institution, in its various departments and operations. 
In the evening were collected in the parlor, some ten or dozen of 
the Peet race, including Mrs. Meigh's three daughters, and two 
sons. W. was expected, but did not come. There were present, 
visitors, Professors and Teachers, several of whom were deaf 
mutes, who seemed to enjoy themselves well; as they could 
understand each other and the members of the family. Some of 
the mutes remained till after prayers. 

October 2d. Eose a little past four o'clock. After breakfast 
and prayers in the family, visited the workshops, saw the pu- 
pils engaged in various branches of mechanism, visited gas-house 
and gardens. Before commencing their recitations, the pupils 
were all assembled in the chapel for prayers. One of the Pro- 
fessors explained a few verses of the Scriptures, and led in 
prayer, by signs, during which, all seemed to give close attention. 
W. called for us, and we took our leave of these friends and re- 
turned to Brooklyn. At Mr. W.'s very cordially received. 

He left New- York on the 15th of October, and, 
on the day following, reached Norridgewock ; when, 
though still feeble, he resumed his public labors, in 
which with considerable difficulty, and yet without 
any visible indications of an abrupt conclusion of 
them, lie persevered, till the close of the month of 
December. On returning home he had the feeling, 
that his people had been long indulgent to his in- 
firmities, and borne the interruptions in his work 
occasioned by sickness ; and it might be, that for 
some time, unless he should retire and give place to 
a successor, their patience would be similarly tried. 
He did not re-enter the pulpit till they, to their last- 
ing honor and their unspeakable satisfaction in the 



104 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

retrospect, had expressed their great pleasure at the 
prospect of again seeing him there. It was their 
privilege to honor and cherish their beloved minis- 
ter to the very last. Happy is it for them, that 
they so understood it ; in this excelling many con- 
gregations, who have done less worthily. Their 
own consciences speak comfortably to them, all the 
churches salute them, and the Saviour will not be 
unmindful of their steadfast love for His faithful 
servant, who had spent himself for their benefit. 

The following is from a letter to his son in New- 
York: 

October 24, 1851. 
E., thinking I might come home fatigued, and scarcely able 
to preach, had made arrangements for Mr. H. to preach for me, 
last Sabbath. The expectation is, that next Sabbath, I shall 
preach. How I shall hold out, I know not. I find some in- 
crease of strength, as the result of my journey; but my infirmities 
are still lurking, and are not to be thrown off. They may be 
temporarily palliated, but cannot be removed. Great things I 
cannot expect to accomplish ; nor to be continued long amid the 
enjoyments of this life. Though you cannot remove my bodily 
infirmities, you have removed from me many, and weighty tem- 
poral burdens, cares and perplexities, and contributed greatly to 
my temporal relief and comfort. It is a great favor to be sur- 
rounded with comforts, when in health ; it is a greater favor to 
be thus privileged, when laboring under bodily indisposition and 
infirmities. But I need to be weaned from the world, and pre- 
pared to leave it ; for the time of my departure cannot be distant. 

In a letter to the same under date of Dec. 1, 
1851, he writes: 



AND HIS DEATH. 105 

I have great cause for thankfulness. I have preached thirteen 
times since my return, without particular inconvenience. I have 
written several sermons, and revised and amended others which I 
have preached. I have also done some things, about my house and 
premises, in getting ready for winter ; in some instances laboring 
moderately all day, though not without fatigue. "We had a pleasant 
Thanksgiving-season. Gr. and wife, and four children, and W. D. 
with us, making twelve in number ; and we pretty well used up two 
turkeys. We should have been much gratified, could you have 
been present. A William was present, and we were pleased to have 

his company, but should have been glad to have another William. 

####### 

Let us know when you go West. Do not let the world over- 
come you. 

Sabbath, Dec. 7th. Went to meeting with my usual sense 
of responsibility, but preached with more freedom and comfort 
than usual. Baptized three children. 

Dec. 13th. Visited Mr. H.'s family in deep affliction ; having 
heard of the death of a son, just arrived at California. I con- 
versed some time, and prayed with them. 

Sabbath, Dec. 28th. Felt not so bright as I could wish — 
another stormy Sabbath — but found more people at meeting than 
I had expected. Felt not so vigorous as usual. Some disposition 
to faintness, as I commenced speaking ; but it passed off, as I 
proceeded, and I spoke with nearly as much ease as usual. 

The last date above was the last Sabbath in the 
year, and the last of his ministering, personally, in 
an earthly sanctuary. On the afternoon of that day 
he preached his last sermon from the second verse 
of the seventh chapter of Ezekiel : " Also thou son 
of man, thus saith the Lord God unto the land of 
Israel; an end, the end is come upon the four cor- 
ners of the land." In the language of the sermon 
preached at his funeral, — 



106 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

He applied it to tlie end of the year, but it had an appropri- 
ateness to the occasion, of which neither he nor his hearers were 
aware. The end had indeed come ; not only of the year, but of 
his nimistr} T among you. The last two hymns which he read to 
be sung, could not have been more appropriately selected, if he 
had known that he was standing before you for the last time. As 
the words of those hymns were read by him, and then repeated 
by the choir in sacred song, and the sound of them was prolonged 
by the tones of the organ, how little did any of the hearers of 
them dream, that the Providence of God would so soon give them 
such a solemn and affecting confirmation. 

One of these Hymns was the six hundred and first : 

The swift declining day, 

How fast its moments fly, 
"While evening's broad and gloomy shade • 

Gains on the western sky. 

Ye mortals mark its pace. 

And use the hours of light ; 
For know its Maker can command 

An instant, endless night. 

Give glory to the Lord, 

"Who rules the rolling sphere ; 
Submissive at his footstool bow 

And seek salvation there. 

Then shall new lustre break 

Through all the horrid gloom, 
And lead you to unchanging light, 

In your celestial home. 

The other Hymn was the six hundred and second. 

Awake — Awake ! each sluggish soul, 

Awake — and view the setting sun ! 
See how the shades of death advance, 

Ere half the task of life is done ! 

Soon will he close our drowsy eyes, 
Nor shall we hear these warnings more : 



AND HIS DEATH. 107 

Soon will the mighty Judge approach ; 
E'en now he stands before the door ! 

To-day, attend his gracious voice ! 

And hear the summons which he sends : — 
" Awake ! for on this passing hour, 

Thy long eternity depends." 

O Saviour ! let these awful scenes 

Be ever present to our view : 
Teach us to gird our loins about, 

And trim our dying lamps anew. 

Then, when the king of terror comes, 

Our souls shall hail the happy day ; 
Haste then, O Saviour, from above, 

Nor let thy chariot wheels delay ! 

Monday, Dec. 29, 1851, he wrote for the last 
time in his journal : " Weather much warmer. Felt 
not as well as usual. Wrote a letter to D. Shepley. 
Commenced preparing a sermon." The sermon com- 
menced was designed for the first Sabbath of a new 
year ; founded on the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, 
at the fourth verse : " One generation passeth away, 
and another generation cometh." In the discourse, 
he proposed to consider the fact announced in the 
passage, and the influence which it is proper the fact 
should have in directing life, during the period of its 
brief continuance. He illustrated the fact, that 
though the earth continues to be peopled, and its 
population increases, still each generation quickly 
passes away, by a general reference to the disappear- 
ance of men in the early ages of the world ; of the 



108 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

Pilgrim fathers, Revolutionary heroes, and eminent 
statesmen of our republic ; and by a more particular 
portrayal of the changes in Norridgewock during 
thirty-eight years, commencing with the year 1814. 
In that time six hundred of the inhabitants of the 
town had been removed by death; not including 
those who, from year to year, had removed, and 
died in other locations. In fifty years death had re- 
moved one hundred and five members from the Con- 
gregational church. 

He wrote some on Monday, and some on Tuesday, 
and on Wednesday, which was the last day of the 
year, as he completed the first, and was just entering 
upon the second division of his subject, he dropped 
his pen, never again to resume it. His right arm 
was palsied. The Master, coming for him, found 
the veteran laborer still in the field, his hand still 
grasping the implements of service. It was at once 
apparent, that the work of life was fully done. He 
was now going to his rest; as the husbandman 
wearied and worn, his work finished, goes to his re- 
pose — as the stars sink in the misty west, to rise 
again in the glories of the east. 

As early as the following Saturday, his power 
of speech began to fail. The first Sabbath of the 
Xew Year came. His people assembled, as usual, at 
the House of God ; and it was to receive a request 



AND HIS DEATH. 109 

from their minister, that he might be remembered 
in their prayers ; and hear his message to them, 
characteristic alike of his affection and his humility ; 
" I feel, my dear people, that my work is done — 
would that I conld say, it is well done." Some had 
heard that their minister was sick, and some had 
previously heard nothing. As it was known by 
individuals that he had, in part, prepared a sermon 
for them, expecting to deliver it on that morning, 
it was concluded to send for it. It was brought, 
and read, and the assembly silently sought their 
homes. He lingered, in much of bodily suffering, 
till the 17th day of the month. His son in New- 
York, just risen from a sick bed, was enabled to 
visit him, and all his immediate family were about 
him. To them, and to others who loved, and came to 
look upon him towards the close of life, he said no- 
thing, except as an expressive countenance is the ut- 
terance of significant language. 

The sermon at his funeral gives the following 
narrative of his last days, beginning after the Sab- 
bath immediately following the Wednesday, on 
which he was smitten. 

His bodily strength and power of speech continued to fail 
more and more. On Tuesday morning, when the County Con- 
ference commenced its semi-annual meeting in this house, he sent 
over to the Conference the same note, requesting prayers, which 
he had sent to his church and congregation, the Sabbath before. 



110 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

On Wednesday morning, he thought himself dying. Being asked 
by his wife if he did not think that death would he to him a hap- 
py exchange, he replied. :: I cannot doubt it — I cannot doubt it.'' 
And although he was evidently distressed because he was not- 
able to converse, so as to give to his family and friends the part- 
ing counsels and directions which he wished to give them, he 
submitted without a murmur to what seemed to be the will of 
God. " All right, all right.' ; he was heard repeatedly to say. In 
the course of the afternoon of that day. however, his speech was 
so far restored for a short season, that he was able to communicate 
in an intelligible manner, what he wished to say. From this time 
forward, he seemed to have done with all earthly anxieties and 
cares. The few words that he was able to speak while the power 
of speech in any degree remained, were expressive of the trust in 
God, and the humble, though undoubting confidence that death 
would be gain, which we should naturally expect, in such a man 
at the close of such a life. "When a brother in the ministry re- 
peated to him those words of the Apostle, " For we know that if our 
earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building 
of God. a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,'' and 
asked him if he could not also say with the Apostle, that he 
knew that he had such a building, he replied, u I hope I have ; " and 
then, as if he had not done full justice to his feelings, he immediate- 
ly added, " strong hope, strong hope." And after he had become 
entirely speechless and helpless, the expression of his eye. as 
well as the signs which he gave by the slight motions which he 
was able to make in answer to what was said to him, although he 
was evidently at times a great sufferer, expressed a uniform 
resignation to God, an inward peace that passeth all under- 
standing, and a hope that was like an anchor to the soul sure and 
steadfast, taking hold of that within the vail. Thus he lingered 
till about four o'clock last Tuesday morning, when he calmly and 
sweetly expired. 

On this affecting occasion, therefore, my hearers, we have 
cause for joy and gratitude to God as well as for sorrow. u The 
end of that man is peace." "Who doubts it? He rests from his 
labors ; rests from toil and trial, though not from joy ; rests 
where they rest not day nor night, crying Holy, Holy, Holy Lord 



AND HIS DEATH. Ill 

God Almighty. He has been gathered like a shock of corn fully 
ripe, into the garner of heaven. Grod gave him grace to be faith- 
ful unto death, and spared him to a good old age. The days of 
the years of his pilgrimage on earth, were a little more than 
three score years and ten. But if the length of a man's life is 
to be measured by the time of his wakeful activity, he has lived 
as long as a man of ordinary habits would have lived at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety years. His days were several hours longer 
than the days of ordinary men, as well as more diligently occu- 
pied about his Heavenly Father's business. 

And how merciful too, were the orderings of Providence in 
regard to the circumstances of his death. 

He died without having his dying hours embittered by the 
thoughts of leaving his worldly affairs in an unsettled condition. 
He could say to all the world as Samuel said to the children of 
Israel, K I am old and gray -headed ; and behold, my sons are with 
you : and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this 
day. Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord. 
Whose ox have I taken ? Or whose ass have I taken ? Or whom 
have I defrauded? "Whom have I oppressed? Or of whose 
hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith ? " 

He hoped that all his children were heirs of salvation ; and 
he had, perhaps, as little cause for painful anxiety and fear re- 
specting their earthly lot, as a reasonable father could expect in 
this world of uncertainty and change. 

And what may perhaps have been to his mind a consideration 
of scarcely less importance, he could leave the people of his 
charge in a united condition : having no divisions among them, 
and no root of bitterness threatening to spring up and trouble 
them ; a people indeed, from whom it could not but be painful, in 
itself considered, to part, but from whom he could now part in 
mutual love. 

The following is from the Christian Mirror of 
the date of January 27th, 1852: 

Dear Sir: 

The Somerset Conference held its semi-annual meeting with 
the Church in Norridgewock, on the 6th and 7th inst. The 



112 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

weather and travelling being unfavorable, the attendance was 
not so large as it otherwise would have been. The meeting, 
however, was a deeply solemn and interesting one, rendered pe- 
culiarly so, by the afflictive condition of the people of Norridge- 
wock at the present time. But a few days "previous to our meet- 
ing, their long revered, and much loved pastor, Rev. J. Peet, was 
stricken down in the midst of his labors. TVhile in the act of 
preparing a sermon for the New Year's Sabbath, a paralytic 
shock, deprived him of the use of his right arm, greatly af- 
fected his speech, and prostrated him upon a bed of almost 
helplessness, which, to human appearance, must shortly prove to 
him, the bed of death. 

It would be impossible for me to describe the heartfelt and 
touching interest, manifested by those assembled from other 
churches, in the deeply afflicted family and people of our aged 
father in the ministry, thus obliged, in the all-wise Providence of 
Grod, to regard him as having already preached his last sermon, 
and soon to be removed to a higher sphere in the Church of God. 

For about thirty-eight years has this faithful servant stood 
upon this out-post of Zion, toiling night and day for the good of 
his people — a people by no means unprepared to appreciate their 
minister and his labors — and, although far advanced in life, being 
nearly seventy-two years of age, he appeared quite as anxious, in 
his last efforts, as ever, to perform the labors of one in the 
strength and vigor of life. 

Having thus long labored in this county, ministered more or 
less to all our churches for this length of time, and become en 
deared to all, nearly, as if he had been their pastor : it is not 
strange that our meeting, on this occasion, was rendered deeply 
solemn and affecting by the circumstances under which we were 
assembled. All felt that father Peet, 

"Like a care-worn and vreary sentinel," 

was about to 

"Lay his armor off, to rest — in heaven." 

And why. seeing his work has been well done, and he is ready 
to depart, should we complain at such a Providence ? 



AND HIS DEATH. 113 

I shall not report the details of the meeting in full ; it is 
sufficient to say, that much of the time was spent in devotional 
exercises, in which remarks and prayers were offered, such as the 
circumstances seemed to require ; the remainder, in preaching 
services, in discussing practical questions, closed with the com- 
munion and a collection of $12 in aid of the M. M. Society. 

A vote of thanks to the people of N. for their hospitality, and 
to the choir of singers, for their aid in the services of the meeting 
was also passed, and the Conference adjourned without day. 

It is devoutly hoped, that the blessing of God may rest on the 
exercises of this occasion ; that the churches of this county, few 
in number, and feeble as they are, may be greatly refreshed ; 
and that the general dearth of the Spirit's influences, which, by 
the reports of the churches at this meeting, appears now to exist 
among us, may be succeeded by timely showers of divine grace. 
For this, it becomes us, both as ministers and people, to labor 
and pray. 

A. T. LOKING, Scribe. 
Skowhegaw, Jan. 16, 1852, 

We copy from the same Journal of a subsequent 
date : 

The letter below, from a worthy brother, than whom no one 
has stronger reasons or better data for a high appreciation of the 
departed, informs us that death has found another victim in the 
Congregational ministry of Maine. Ere the feeling of bereave- 
ment at the removal of Tobey, Frost and Walker, had wholly sub- 
sided, our ministers and churches are called to mourning ; for the 
patriarch of Somerset has also gone. He is believed to have 
been, at the time of his death, the longest settled pastor, of our 
denomination, in the State, who still remained pastor of the same 
flock ; and we cannot doubt, that it is a comforting and pleasant 
thought to the people of JSforridgewock, that he who gave the 
strength of his manhood to the promotion of their welfare, has 
now made his grave with them. 

Two of the brothers above mentioned, Messrs. Frost and 
Walker, died pastors of the churches over which they were origi. 
nally ordained, and for whose souls they had watched between 



114 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

twenty -five and thirty years. Six of their survivors have been 
in office without change of residence, as long, on an average, if 
not longer : they are the pastors at Limerick. "Waterford. North 
Yarmouth. Minot Fryeburg, and Farmington : and following not 
far behind in time are the pastors at Searsport and Brunswick. 
and two or three others. Distant be the day. if so it may please 
God. before another breach shall be made in the consecrated 
band. But let all have their loins girt, and their lamps trimmed 
and burning : for who can tell what a day may bring forth 1 

Our correspondent well understands the proprieties of life ; 
and consequently does not go into the delineation of 3Ir. Peet : s 
character, as this would be forestalling a brother, to whom the 
pleasing, mournful office has been intrusted — pleasing, because 
his subject is a blameless and useful minister of Christ ; mournful, 
because we shall see his face no more. The same motive would 
restrain us. even if qualified for the service. It will be no inter- 
ference, however, to mention an incident. 

"We were a listener to what we suppose was the first sermon 
which Mr. Peet ever preached. It was in the chapel of the 
Theological Seminary, of a Sabbath evening, when that chapel 
was of no larger dimensions than to include the space of two 
rooms on the lower floor of the building first erected — rooms of 
the size occupied by students. His subject was the one involved 
in the passage. u Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither 
he that watereth : but God, who giveth the increase. ,; This, or 
something equivalent, was his text. And the general impression 
made by his discourse has always been revived by the sight and 
thought of him. There were circumstances which gave it a pe- 
culiar fitness. He belonged to that class of men whom it takes 
long time to estimate in proportion to their real worth. He had 
none of those factitious qualities which make a little pass for 
much. He was wholly unpretending, had a low estimate of his 
own powers, was diffident almost to timidity : but his sincerity 
and heartiness imparted such force to his thoughts, that by the 
time his discourse was finished, probably neither classmate nor 
professor felt disposed to boast superiority over him. His useful 
life is another beautiful illustration of the Scriptural affirmation, 
,: Them that honor me, I will honor. :; " He that humbleth himself 
shall be exalted." 



AND HIS DEATH. 115 

Winslow, Feb. 25, 1852. 
Bro. Cummin gs : 

The Rev. Josiah Peet, the venerable Pastor at Norridgewock, 
for a period of almost forty years, died on the 17th inst., in 
the seventy-second year of his age. His funeral was attended 
on Saturday last, when a vast assembly thronged the church to 
attend on fitting exercises. The Rev. Dr. Tappan led in 
the principal devotional exercise, and the Rev. Mr. Hathaway 
preached from Ps. xxxvii. 37, " Mark the perfect man and behold 
the upright, for the end of that man is peace." It was both in- 
structive and impressive to see the old and feeble, the strong 
men and the young, the citizens of every persuasion, in every 
garb and condition, pass around to take their last look of the 
mortal part of the man, whose life and character not one of them 
failed to reverence, and whom the larger part loved with an affec- 
tion singularly strong and tender. On the morning of the next 
day, the Sabbath, it was the duty of the writer to attempt the 
conduct of the worship of the bereaved congregation. The scene 
of the preceding day was still present. It was a struggle to 
enter upon the exercises of worship. One thought seemed to 
fill every mind : — Mr. Peet is dead. But we remembered that 
the devout, extensively on that clay, would not fail to remember 
the bereaved family and the bereaved flock ; that though he who 
had long led the devotions of the people was not present, their 
concern in the Gospel is abiding ; and that it was the hand of 
God which removed the pastor, and it were a flagrant sin to make 
God's providence an excuse for the neglect of His ordinance — ■ 
and we gave ourselves to the contemplation of the truth, that 
God is man's disposer, his hand is in all our blessings and all our 
trials — with him is human character and human destiny. The 
people may choose their own minister. But if they have a minis- 
ter who is a blessing to them, he is nevertheless more properly 
considered, a gift of God's bestowing, than a possession of their 
own procuring. 

It is no part of my design to write the eulogy of the late 
beloved pastor of Norridgewock. The excellent discourse of Mr. 
Hathaway may be given to the public. Still, I may say, that 
they who have most intimately known Blr. Peet, have the most 
entirely loved and honored him ; and if we take into view the 



116 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

duration of his ministry, its usually pleasant relations, its singu- 
lar purity, its extended and enduring fruits, and its desirable 
termination, it will unquestionably be held to have been, among 
the more remarkable, that the period has exhibited. 

A contemplation of Mr. Peet's early labors, together with the 
effects of them on his own habits and character as a minister, and 
on the communities who have enjoyed his labors, may possibly 
lead to some valuable conclusions, as to the best modes for adop- 
tion in supplying destitute regions with the preaching of the 
G-ospel. Mr. Peet, for many years, labored extensively, as an 
Evangelist ; and yet during his whole ministry, he has been the 
minister of one and the same people. There has been no time, 
from its commencement up to its close, when a necessity did not 
exist for untiring mental application. The work of the pastor 
gave untold weight and value to that of the Evangelist. The 
minister, who can and does meet continuously, the wants of one 
and the same people, is, after all, the most effective itinerant 
laborer. Yours truly. 

As every thing pertaining to the death of one 
that is loved is interesting, the insertion of the hymns 
sung at his funeral may be a favor to some : 

Hymn 1st. 

" Seevant of God, well done, 
Eest from thy loved employ : 
The battle fought, the victory won, 
Enter thy Master's joy." 

The voice at midnight came, 

He started up to hear ; 
A mortal arrow pierced his frame, 

He fell — but felt no fear. 

Tranquil amidst alarms, 

It found him on the field, 
A veteran slumbering on his arms, 

Beneath the red-cross shield. 



AND HIS DEATH. 117 

His spirit, with a bound, 

Left its encumbering clay ; 
His tent, at sunrise, on the ground, 

A darkened ruin lay. 

The pains of death are past, 

Labor and sorrow cease, 
And, life's long warfare closed at last, 

His soul is found in peace. 

Soldier of Christ, well done ! 

Praise be thy new employ ; 
And while eternal ages run, 

Rest in thy Saviour's joy. 



Hymn 2d. 

Oh, for the death of those 

"Who slumber in the Lord ! 
Oh, be like theirs my last repose, 

Like theirs, my last reward. 

Their bodies in the ground, 

In silent hope may lie, 
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound 

Shall call them to the sky. 

Their ransomed spirits soar 

On wings of faith and love 
To meet the Saviour they adore, 

And reign with him above. 

With us their names shall live 
Through long succeeding years, 

Embalmed with all our hearts can give, 
Our praises and our tears. 

Oh, for the death of those 

Who slumber in the Lord ! 
Oh, be like theirs my last repose, 

Like theirs my last reward. 
D 



118 his last sickness 

Hymn 3d. 

Pastoe, thou art gone to rest ; 

We will not weep for thee ; 
For thou art now where oft on earth 

Thy spirit longed to be. 

Beothee, thou art gone to rest ; 

Thine is an earthly tomb ; 
But Jesus summoned thee away, 

Thy Saviour called thee home. 

Husbajsd, thou art gone to rest ; 

Thy toils and cares are o'er, 
And sorrow, pain, and suffering, now 

Shall ne'er distress thee more. 

Fathee, thou art gone to rest ; 

Thy prayers for us are o'er ; 
But Saints in light, have welcomed thee 

To heaven's blissful shore. 

Pastoe, thou art gone to rest ; 

And this shall be our prayer : 
That, when we reach our journey's end, 

Thy glory we may share. 

" Devout men" carried him to his burial, and his 
remains lie interred in a tasteful family-inclosure in 
the burying-ground at the lower end of the village 
of ISTorridgewock, on the north side of the river. 
At the head of his grave has been erected a pyra- 
midal shaft, of Italian marble, on a granite base ; — 
a fitting tribute of affection. But though the spot 
of his grave were unmarked, neither the love and 
gratitude of living men, nor the faithful care of his 
Heavenly Father, without whom, not a hair of his 



AND HIS DEATH. 119 

head fell to the ground, while he was living ; would 
suffer his name to pass into oblivion, now that he is 
gone. Wealth or station may secure for worthless 
and evil men equipage and pomp of funeral solem- 
nities — the ceremony of sorrow ; may purchase the 
gorgeous cemetery ; rear the stately monument ; and 
employ the poet's eulogy and the artist's chisel ; but 
the wicked shall be "forgotten in the city where it 
was so done." God will have them to be forgotten ; 
and who shall perpetuate their memory ? God will 
have the names of his faithful servants to be held in 
esteem ; " the Lord is their memorial ; " and who shall 
cause them to be forgotten ? " The righteous shall 
be in everlasting remembrance." " The memory of 
the just is blessed." "And they that be wise shall 
shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they 
that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever 
and ever." 

Mrs. Peet survives her husband to bless their 
surviving children. They are four in number ; — two 
sons, Mr. Edward Josiah Peet, with a family in Nor- 
ridgewock, and Mr. William Henry Peet, of New- 
York : and two daughters — Sarah Hcrrick, the wife 
of Mr. George Sawtelle, of Norridgewock, and Mary 
Herrick, married, since the death of her father, to 
Solomon E. Bixby, of Kenduskeag. 



120 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

"My boast is not that I deduce my birth 
From loins enthron'd and rulers of the earth ; 
But higher far my proud pretensions rise — 
The child of parents passed into the skies." 

Extracts are given from a few among the many 
letters of condolence addressed to the family. 

FROM MRS. M . OF PORTLAND. 

Portland, March Id, 1852. 
My Dear Mrs. Peet : 

I have been meaning ever since I heard of the death of my 
beloved friend — my father in Christ, to write to you ; but I have 
shrunk from intruding upon your grief ; and yet I am not willing 
that these days of sorrow should pass by without assuring you of 
my sympathy. In one sense I can truly sympathize with you — 
that of watching with painful interest the progress and termina" 
tion of the same dreadful disease — a disease which, I think, you 
will agree with me in saying is, of all diseases with which we are 
acquainted, the most trying. It would seem to be of little con- 
sequence, when all is over, what means our ever kind Father takes 
to remove His servants to himself ; yet we do so shrink from wit- 
nessing suffering in those we love ! It is one of those dark lessons 
which we may be permitted to understand in the light of heaven. 
I cannot realize that I shall never see his dear face again in the 
flesh ; but I pray that I may be fitted to meet him. through the 
merits of our common Saviour, in the mansions above. 

I can think how lonely you must all be. and how deserted every 
part of your house must seem to you ; — how Sarah must miss his 
ever affectionate attentions, when she goes home with the children. 
Oh ! how painful is the void ! May G-od, in his great mercy and 
pitying love, comfort you all in this hour of sorrow, and lay open 
to you those special comforts, which, in your case, seem so to 
abound. 

I remember with much pleasure the interview I had with him 
last summer, when, though feeble, he seemed so cheerful and so 
hopeful ; and the little call you made me with him, in September ; 



AND HIS DEATH. 121 

and which then, I hardly thought, would be the last I should ever 
receive from him. His affectionate manner I shall never forget- 
Pleasant was it to me in my childhood, and doubly pleasant has 
it seemed to me, whenever I have met him, in maturer years. I 
often wished, after he was taken sick, that I could once more take 
his hand and assure him of my love. I do indeed feel most deeply 
for you all. 

With much love. to George and Sarah, Edward — his wife and 
Mary, 

I am yours truly and affectionately. 

FROM REV, S. W. FIELD, PROVIDENCE. 

Providence, R. I., March 10, 1852. 
84 Chestnut Street. 
My dear Mrs. Peet and Family : 

I received last week from Mr. Sawtelle, a paper containing 
the sad intelligence of your heavy bereavement. Be assured you 
have my tenderest sympathy; and I would fain attempt to ad- 
minister consolation, but I need it myself, for I have lost in the 
one you mourn, a father. Yv T hen I remember how much there has 
been in his life to comfort you, and I have no doubt, in his death 
also ; when memory, busy with the past, gathers up all those ex- 
cellencies that adorned his meek and heavenly character as a min- 
ister, a husband, a father, I feel that you cannot be wanting in 
consolation the most delightful from the object of your grief; 
and then that higher source, from which the dear departed so 
often drew his consolations, and from which he taught you to 
expect comfort — that is now open to you in a peculiar manner ; 
and in the widow's God and the Father of the fatherless you will, 
I trust, find a sweetness and surety of comfort never before real- 
ized. A little while ago, but since his death, I had amost pleas- 
ant dream of going to see him. It left an impression on my 
mind that remained several days. Oh, I can see his pleasant 
face now — -no human face ever affected me like his ; no man did 
I ever love as I did him. Though twenty-two years have passed 
away, how fresh is that scene, when on one quiet Sabbath evening 
at sunset, he took me by the hand, his face all beaming with love 
for my soul, and talked to me of the importance of its salvation ; 



122 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

and for ever won ray heart towards himself and I trust to God. 
Never, dear Mrs. Peet, shall I cease to cherish his memory — to 
love him, even though he has gone to heaven — yea, to love him there 
and spend Eternity with him in praising God. 

I feel very thankful that I was permitted to visit him last 
summer ; and I should have felt it a great privilege to have been 
with you when he died, to behold the scene of the " good man" 
going to his reward. I imagine it was like the following : 

" I looked upon the righteous man, 

And saw his parting breath, 
Without a struggle or a sigh, 

Serenely yield to death : 
There was no anguish on his brow, 

Nor terror in his eye : 
The spoiler aimed a fatal dart, 

But lost the victory. 
I looked upon the righteous man, 

And heard the holy prayer 
Which rose above that breathless form, 

To soothe the mourner's care, 
And felt how precious was the gift 

He to his loved ones gave — 
The stainless memory of the just, 

The wealth beyond the grave." 

My dear Mrs. Peet, I know I can but little imagine, and not 
at all realize the desolateness and loneliness of your state ; but I 
pray God, you may be sustained under it all ; and that the thought 
of the eternal gain of your departed husband may reconcile you 
to your loss. Only think, he is in heaven ! He is with Paul, 
Luther, and a host of holy men whom he once knew on earth. 
And, he is with Christ ! This is what he often longed for — " to 
be with Christ, which is far better." And you shall go to him ! 
Does not this cheer you? I know it does. And that will not 
be long. My own heart, grieved as it is, that I shall see him no 
more here, leaps with delight at the prospect of meeting him in 
heaven. 

"Dear as thou wert, and justly dear, 
We will not weep for thee." 



AND HIS DEATH. 123 

No. " Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord." We will 
prepare to follow him. Again would I tender my warmest sym- 
pathy to yourself and each of your children. May God bless you 
all ; and whenever your feelings will admit of it, I should like 
to hear the particulars of our dear father's death. 

We are all well. My wife unites with me in love and sym- 
pathy for you all. I have promised my children to tell them a 
story about your husband — you can well imagine what it will be. 
Most affectionately 

Yours, 

FROM REV. JOHN PERHAM. 

Windham, Feb. 23, 1852. 
Bear friend : 

I received the sad, though not unexpected, intelligence of 
the death of your beloved father, on Saturday last, the day of 
his burial, in a letter from Bro. Hathaway. It would have 
afforded me much pleasure, to have attended his funeral and 
mingled my sympathies with those of the relatives and other 
friends, who committed the remains of one so universally be- 
loved to the dust. You may assure your friends of the deep 
sympathy of myself and Mrs. P., in this time of bereavement and 
mourning. Your father, from my first acquaintance with him, 
ever proved himself a true friend and wise counsellor. Nothing 
ever transpired to interrupt our most cordial and fraternal inter- 
course. The death of no man in Somerset County, could have 
occasioned greater lamentation among the friends of religion and 
good order. But alas ! " The godly man ceaseth, and the mourn- 
ers go about the streets." No traits of goodness, no capacities 
for usefulness can avail to keep back the stroke of death, or pre- 
vent the execution of the sentence, " Dust thou art, and unto 
dust shalt thou return." His labors were arduous, incessant, and 
long continued. Probably, no minister of his age, ever devoted 
more hours of hard service to the cause of his divine Master ; 
nor did he labor in vain. The fruits of his ministry may be 
found in all the region, and some of them, having ripened and 
been gathered, he has found in heaven ; others in greater abun- 
dance will follow him, to add new lustre to his crown of glory. 



124 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

A few years, and how many, to whom his voice has administered 
the instructions and consolations of the gospel, will be with him ; 
and among the number, will not his companion, who has shared 
so long and so largely in his trials and joys — and his children, 
baptized by his hands and consecrated by his blessing, protected 
by his watchfulness, nurtured by his care, and converted in an- 
swer to his prayers, be found. 

In the midst of gloom which overspreads your habitation, 
so recently fitted up for his comfort in declining age, your 
beautiful sanctuary, in which his voice gave utterance to so much 
truth, and to so many fervent supplications for the people whom 
he ardently loved, and the whole community for whose welfare 
he felt and labored so much : I say, that in the midst of all this 
gloom, there is room for holy submission and consolation. Your 
father lived to perform, all that could be reasonably expected of 
a husband and father and minister ; he came to his end, after his 
work was done, and well done, and before the imbecility of dotage 
began to appear. He had sufficient warning of his approaching 
dissolution. He had time to arrange all his affairs, and to gird 
up his loins for the last conflict. His end was peace. He died 
among his friends : and he is buried where you would have his 
remains rest — in an inclosure which contains so many sacred 
treasures, and is hallowed by so many pleasing, yet melancholy 
associations. Can you not feel that God has been signally kind 
in all this ? Wherein would you have it otherwise? 

It now remains for the children to be as the father — for them 
to imitate his virtues, and prepare for a like happy and timely 
departure : and for his people to treasure up his instructions, 
maintain and perpetuate the institutions which found in him 
such a firm friend and supporter, and to stand with their '- lamps 
trimmed and burning," in readiness for the coming of the Lord. 

Say to your mother, that Mrs. P. and myself deeply feel for 
her, having both tasted of the cup which her Heavenly Father 
has given her to drink. We shall pray, that she may have grace 
to sustain her to the close of her pilgrimage : and friends to 
solace her in her loneliness — to assuage her grief, and minister 
to her wants : and that she may come to her end in peace. 

Accept our best wishes for all the family. 

Your sincere and faithful friend. 



AND HIS DEATH. 125 

FROM REV. ISAAC ROGERS. 

Farmington, Feb. 21, 1852. 
Afflicted Sister : 

The letter from your son, Edward, containing the not unex- 
pected but sad tidings of your sore bereavement, in the death of 
your kind and long loved husband, did not reach us till last 
evening. Consequently, it was too late for us to get ready and 
come over, in any season to attend the funeral services. This is 
to us a great disappointment, and quite an affliction, we do assure 
you. For we have so long known, and so greatly loved the de- 
parted husband and father, and venerated brother in the pastoral 
office, that ever since we heard of the attack upon him, which has 
closed his days on the earth, we had purposed to see either him 
or you, before, or after, his death should take place. If the 
letter had only reached here the night previous, or even at noon 
of yesterday, we should have been with you, to mingle our sym- 
pathy and condolence with the afflicted and bereaved, and to testify 
our respect and affection for him, who indeed " Is not dead, but 
sleepeth." For our, and your loss, great though it be, is his un- 
speakable and everlasting gain. He had finished his course, and 
kept the faith ; henceforth there is the crown of rejoicing placed 
upon his head, which will be increasingly radiant forever and ever. 

In the midst of this affliction, also, you, and the dear family, 
have many other topics of consolation and support. God, your 
heavenly Father, your kindest, greatest, and best friend, has done 
it. He has done it, too. in as good a time, and as gentle a manner, 
perhaps, as you could naturally expect. Your husband and father 
was, at the time of his death, the oldest pastor in the State of 
Maine, of our denomination ; and the thirty and eight years of 
his pastoral life had been not only blamelessly and virtuously 
occupied by him, but he had by his diligence, fidelity and suc- 
cess in this office, and as a missionary of the cross in all the re- 
gion round about, purchased to himself an excellent reputation, 
as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, enduring the cross, despising 
the shame ; thus making full proof of his ministry, and clearly 
showing that he was called of Grod, as was Aaron. Then too, the 
peaceful and harmonious state of the church, and the good pros- 
pects of the church and society, as he has been called to leave 



126 HIS LAST SICKNESS 

thein, are such as to lead to the confident hope, that he has well 
laid the foundations of many generations, and that on earth, as 
well as in heaven, his name will be in everlasting remembrance. 
Coming to his grave, too, naturally, in a good age, as a shock of 
corn that is ripe in its season, you cannot of course, mourn for 
him, but for yourselves, that you have lost so affectionate a hus- 
band and father. But yet, how kind has God been to spare him 
to you so long, and to render the relation so pleasant and useful, 
for so many years. Jehovah says. " Leave thy fatherless children : 
I will preserve them alive ; and let thy widows trust in me." 

Much love from Mrs. R,. and myself to you all, on this 
occasion, and in these circumstances — to Edward and his wife, 
to William, if at home ; whom we so greatly love, that he had the 
disposition, as well as ability, to smooth the dying pillow of his 
father, and to cheer his last days, as he did. May his fathers 
God, be his God, now and evermore. Also to Mr. Sawtelle and 
Sarah, with their family. May this stroke be the means of their 
present and everlasting good. And may Mary be excited to a 
new and more entire consecration of herself to the service of God, 
as the future companion of one of his servants in the ministry. 

Though absent in body, we are with you, to-day, in spirit: 
rejoicing that the skies are so propitious, and praying that all 
the exercises of the occasion may be owned and blessed of God, 
to the saving good of all, and that, however great the good your 
beloved husband and honored father accomplished by his life, he 
may accomplish still more, by his sickness and death. Soon, too. 
our turn will come : u Death at the farthest, can't be far " from 
any of us ; especially from those of us, that already have gray 
hairs, here and there, upon us. Let us be " Also ready, for in 
such an hour as we think not, the son of man cometh." Let us 
therefore stand with our loins girt about with truth, and our 
lamps trimmed and burning. 

Yours in the love of Christ. 

TE.OM REV. THOMAS ADAMS. 

Thompsox, Ohio, March 8, 1S52. 
My Dear Mrs. Peet : 

A letter from a friend at Vassalborough, received four days 

since, informed me of the death of your dear husband. I had 



AND HIS DEATH. 127 

been previously informed of bis critical state, and a letter received 
to-day, from my "beloved brother Thurston, now at Vassalborough, 
has given me additional particulars. 

I can hardly think it necessary to address to you words of con- 
solation. You know the Source, and are familiar with those topics 
which suggest the appropriate considerations ; and when you re- 
view the past, and contrast your experience, in your connection 
with your beloved husband with that of many others, you will 
doubtless feel that you have occasion to speak of the goodness 
much more than of the severity of God. You have known, all along, 
that the tie must be severed. No strange or unexpected thing 
has happened. I can hardly realize, yet such is the fact, that he 
had more than completed his three score years and ten. You 
look forward to a speedy reunion, where toils and trials will have 
no place, where ties will no more be severed. 

But while you will not murmur, you do yet deeply feel the 
stroke that has fallen upon you. I cannot repress the impulse I 
feel to tender you my heartfelt sympathy. You sorrow not alone. 
From the time that I first entered your dwelling, on a very cold 
winter evening, in the winter of 1817-18, I numbered your hus- 
band among my particular friends. I call to mind the many, 
many pleasant hours I have spent beneath your roof, as well as 
the many seasons when I have enjoyed his society at my own 
hearfch-stone. Those were happy days, but they have fled, and 
we must now look upward, to that blessed abode, where there are 
still purer joys, and more hallowed friendships. But there was a 
peculiar interest, and I believe it was mutual ; a close, truly 
"brotherly affection, that prevailed among the original members of 
the Kennebec and Somerset Association ; such, I am sure as I 
have not felt in any subsequent organizations, though I think 
of many more recent, to which I feel warmly attached. Our 
meetings were looked forward to with interest, and I now look 
back to them as brightly cheering spots along the pathway of 
life. Providence has kindly spared us, far beyond what we had 
a right to hope. Brother Holt was taken away in the midst of 
his days, Dr. Grillet, like a shock of corn fully ripe ; your hus- 
band at fall maturity. I am the youngest of the survivors, but 
three score years are upon me. 



128 • HIS LAST SICKNESS 

You do not need that I speak of the good qualities of your 
husband. The unfaltering love and confidence of his people 
for near forty years, is the most honorable human testimony, and 
the highest eulogium, that he can receive. 

I have occasionally heard from you, through friends. You 
will reckon it among not the least of your mercies, that G-od has 
blessed you with children, able and disposed to cheer you, in the 
evening of your days, by their filial attention. 

Mrs. Adams cherishes an affectionate remembrance of you. 
and your lamented husband. 

" Cast thy burdens on the Lord, and he will sustain thee." 

Yery sincerely your friend. 

FROM REV. DAVID THURSTON. 

Brown's Cohxee, March 1, 1852. 
Mrs. Peet : 

My dear respected friend. I desire most sincerely to condole 
with you in your afflicted state. But there are so many, very many 
sweet ingredients in the bitter cup, which our Heavenly Father 
has given you to drink, that you may well -sing of mercy as well 
as of judgment." What reason for gratitude, that you have had 
such a husband, that your children have had such a father, that the 
church has had such a pastor, that Norridgewock has had such a 
citizen, and the world such an inhabitant ; one who, in all these rela- 
tions, has exerted such a pure, good, and salutary influence, and 
that he has been spared so long. " He is unto God a sweet savor of 
Christ." True, the more desirable and valuable was his longer con- 
tinuance, the greater is the loss sustained by his removal. To us it 
appears mysterious that such influences, which are so much needed 
in this world, should b'e taken away to another world, where to 
our limited understanding, such influences are so much less 
needed, if needed at all. How profoundly ignorant we are ! How 
true, that " we know only in part." How delightful the anticipa- 
tion, that in the light of eternity, we may be able to read those 
dark passages in the book of Grod's providence, the print of which 
is now so small that they are quite illegible. ' ; Y\ T hat I do thou 
knowest not now, but thou ' shalt know hereafter." Blessed 
promise. It will be fulfilled in due time. What an invaluable 



AND HIS DEATH. 129 

legacy, you and your dear children have in the instructions, ex- 
ample and prayers of that estimable, beloved man, who performed 
so well the duties of those endearing relations, which he sustained. 
The gems of Golconda and the gold of California are not to be 
compared with it. Surely then your hearts, instead of repining, 
will overflow with gratitude for the priceless blessings of a friend, 
who has passed his three score years and ten in a way so credit- 
able to himself, so useful to his fellow men, and so honorable to 
the grace of G-od. 

I have lost one for whom I had long cherished a very cordial 
affection, with whom I had been tenderly and profitably asso- 
ciated. I cannot well express the regret I felt on receiving your 
son's letter, announcing the death of his beloved father, and in- 
viting me to be present at his funeral, as it was too late. The 
letter was not received till 9 o'clock in the morning of the day of 
the funeral. I was grieved ; but I desired to be still, knowing that 
infinite wisdom and goodness had thus ordered it. But I trust 
you had the presence and sympathy of "Him, who can be touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities." 

My regard to my dear departed Brother and his bereaved 
family, prompts me to proffer my services for one Sabbath, to the 
smitten church and people, if they would be acceptable. The 
Sabbath which would best suit my convenience to spend at Nor- 
ridgwock, will be, Deo vole?ite, the 3d in this month, the 21st inst. 
Please inform me, whether that day would meet the wishes of 
the church and society, that I may make my arrangements ac- 
cordingly. As I am supplying in three places, as early a reply 
to my proposal as convenient, will oblige me. Since receiving 
Edward's letter I have been absent most of the time, or I should 
before this have addressed you. 

Mrs. Thurston, who continues to be a great sufferer, mentally, 
unites in love and sympathy to you and your children. 

Very truly your affectionate and sympathizing 

Friend, in haste. 



CHAPTER VII 

HIS CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE. 

Seldom do we love a man for the results of Ms life, 
and not have occasion to love him, even more, for 
what he is. The works of God are marvellous, 
sought out of all that have pleasure in them ; but 
the attributes of the divine character, still more than 
divine works, are matter for our admiring wonder. 
And so man effects nothing in his life which he is 
not fitted to accomplish. Having followed Mr. Peet 
through the various scenes and labors of his life, it 
is proposed, in this chapter, to consider how the God 
of nature, Providence, and grace, fitted him for use- 
fulness. The work of God for him, and in him, pre- 
ceded, and accompanied, and originated the work 
of God through him. 

His physical power for the endurance of hard 
service may be of sufficient importance to deserve to 
be mentioned. He inherited by birth a constitution 
of great strength ; and the circumstances of his early 



HIS CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE. 131 

life were such, as not to enervate and deprive him 
of the inheritance, but secure to him long the valu- 
able and necessary possession. He was not born in 
affluence, nor bred in luxury and ease. The son of 
hard- working parents, he was himself, till he arrived 
at the years of his majority, a hard-working farmer, 
amid the hills of Vermont. He was accustomed, 
sometimes, to lament, that his youth was spent in 
seclusion from books, and in divorcement from al- 
most all literary privileges ; and he would, doubt- 
less, in some desirable respects, have been more dis- 
tinguished than he was, if the fact had been other- 
wise. Literature, to impart its best graces and its 
finest polish, seeks an introduction to the mind, while 
it is yet young and flexible. She is hard to be won, 
and slow in dispensing her favors, when sought after 
by late votaries. But if there was loss in one direc- 
tion, there was gain in another ; which, it may be, 
was a full equivalent. As it was, he could, and did, 
as very few can, apply himself to his work eighteen 
or twenty hours out of the twenty-four, as a rather 
uniform habit ; he could endure fatigues and expo- 
sures which a hot-house plant cannot endure ; and 
after all the wear to which he had been subjected, 
and notwithstanding his advanced age, and the de- 
bility occasioned by frequent attacks of acute dis- 
ease ; at the last, all his friends had occasion to be 



132 HIS CHARACTER. 

surprised at the vigor with which his system resisted 
attacks upon it, and the tenacity of the vital prin- 
ciple. Without physical vigor he might have been 
useful in some stations ; but he could not have per- 
formed the work which has been effected through 
his instrumentality. 

It should be stated that while he undeniably 
did possess a vigorous constitution, the fact was not 
early apparent to himself nor to others. On the 
contrary, till by enduring, his power for endurance 
was demonstrated ; as he was often ill, he was con- 
sidered rather more than usually frail ; and he an- 
ticipated for himself, habitually, but a short period 
of earthly service. This, too, may have been favor- 
able ; as it undoubtedly had its influence in leading 
him to live as in view of an opening eternity, and 
to look on all about him as beings whom he was 
soon to meet in another world. 

In the time and circumstances of Ms theological 
training, he was favored. It may well be doubted 
whether students in a course of preparation for the 
ministry, at any period, in our country, have been, 
while pursuing their studies, more desirably situated 
than were the members of the first formed classes in 
the Theological Seminary at Andover. Much more 
than has of late years been the fact in this institu- 
tion, or in other similar ones, their condition resem- 



AND INFLUENCE. 133 

bled that of students resorting to the old domestic 
method of training ; while they enjoyed advantages, 
some of which are incompatible with that method. 
As was natural, the sympathies of the churches were 
unusually gathered about the then infant institution, 
established to supply them with spiritual teachers ; 
and their prayers for it were abundant. The in- 
structors, Woods, Griffin and Stuart, while they 
were princes among preachers, had, each, the advan- 
tages attendant upon large experience in the practi- 
cal discharge of the duties of the ministry, having 
recently come from their parishes ; where they had 
been blessed with revivals of religion, and been per- 
mitted to move amid the displays of the divine power 
and mercy in the bringing of sinners to repentance. 
The spirit of missions, also, was then developing it- 
self in its freshness, and with a before unwonted 
prominence, giving expansion to spiritual views and 
aims, and adding fervor to devotion. The students, 
also, were then less secluded from society than is 
now the custom. They mingled freely with the 
people of the town and in the vicinity, and became 
practically acquainted with men of differing charac- 
ter, "with scenes of affliction, and scenes of joy; 
with sickness and with death ; with weekly meetings 
for prayer and instruction among the people, and 
with the various dealings of God's spirit with the 

10 



134 HIS CHARACTER 

souls of men." In short, if education for the minis- 
try was somewhat less literary, and less ornate, than 
we now have ; it may be that it was equally fitted 
to awaken thought, to exercise the powers of the 
mind, and produce thorough and earnest theolo- 
gians ; that it guarded better against dangers from 
a spirit of pride and worldly ambition ; and was more , 
sure to supply the churches with pastors, and the 
world with evangelists, such as are, at all times, 
needed, men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. " The 
secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and 
he will show them his covenant." 

Mr. Peet, when he entered upon the public duties 
of the ministry, was indeed mature in years ; and 
before going to Andover he had been considerably 
conversant with scenes and duties, such as were be- 
fore him in his ministerial life. But the influences 
brought to bear upon him while in the Seminary 
were undoubtedly very desirable in character. In 
his early labors in Vermont, in scenes unusual and 
exciting, he seemed to be unruffled and at home. In 
the revival at Xorridgewock, which preceded his or- 
dination, he seemed not a novice, but a man of wis- 
dom and experience. His early labors there, and 
as a missionary, were performed in more critical cir- 
cumstances, and demanded wisdom, perhaps, more 
than was requisite at any subsequent period ; and 






AND INFLUENCE. 135 

from the beginning he moved quietly and humbly, 
and yet as a master. Probably, in no single exer- 
cise, or instance, in his ministry, did any one think 
of him, as inept ; much less, as a young man puffed 
up and wanting in an experienced, subdued and 
chastened mind. 

The agency of a wise Providence was doubtless 
concerned in conducting him to the particular scene 
of Ms public life, and field of his ministerial labors. 
Useful, we may readily believe, he might and would 
have been any where, in the Lord's vineyard ; but it 
is possible, that nowhere else the fruits of his work 
would have equally abounded. A people less intel- 
ligent, than those of JSTorridgewock, might not so 
readily have appreciated the value of his qualities as 
a minister, which were not of a particularly glittering 
and dazzling character ; while, on the other hand, a 
people more numerous, and more opulent, might 
have been tempted to desire a ministry more capti- 
vating to the fancy and more flattering to pride ; 
though it should be less spiritual, less edifying to the 
flock of God, and far less suited to reclaim and save 
the wanderers. He was well fitted for missionary 
labor, conducted in the manner in which he performed 
it ; while, had he been called to a wholly itinerant 
service, it is difficult to perceive how, constituted as 
he was, he could have been very happy, or eminently 



136 HIS CHARACTER 

useful. God designed him for Norridgewock, and 
he placed him there ; designed that he should be a 
great blessing to Zion in the county of Somerset, 
and planted him in that territory, thereby preparing 
the way for existing churches to be saved from ex- 
tinction, and for others, which then had no being, to 
spring into existence. " A man's heart deviseth his 
way, but the Lord directeth his steps." 

A man is very much influenced by his domestic 
relations. " Whoso flncleth a wife, nndeth a good 
thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord." And Mr. 
Peet was blessed in his marriage. Circumstances 
render an expansion of statement, on this topic, at 
present, improper. It may however involve no 
breach of the laws of discretion, to say, that as he 
was naturally disposed to despondence, it was evi- 
dently of great importance to him to be brought 
into close proximity with such as combined, in their 
character, tenderness of heart, together with a good 
measure of buoyancy of spirit and energy of resolu- 
tion. And it is matter for pleasing and thankful 
reflection, that in consequence of an encouraging and 
cheering influence exerted on him at home, there is 
good reason to think, that several years were added 
to the length of his ministry ; and that in this way 
his life, even, was considerably prolonged beyond 
what it would else have been. 



AND INFLUENCE. 137 

Mr. Peet's intellectual constitution was good. 
The imagination did not predominate. He dis- 
criminated well, and his judgment was sure. In 
writing and speaking it might have been better, had 
he been less timid in permitting himself to soar ; 
and yet he often did give free play to his emotional 
nature, and move away easily and gracefully, carried 
by the impulses of excited affection. This is certain, 
he never exhibited complacency in a vapid perform- 
ance of his own ; and he never attempted any thing 
to which he was not fully competent. He instinct- 
ively shrank from whatever is an approach to per- 
sonal display; and he habitually cherished depres- 
sed views of his own powers. In reality, the opera- 
tions of his mind were not deficient in order, in clear- 
ness or in strength. Its products, if not brilliant, 
were rich. If a subject did not expand itself, in its 
various parts and relations, as readily to his mind, 
as to that of some others, he never mistook a crude 
and partial, for a mature and full view of it ; and he 
had, in an unusual degree, the power and habit of 
prolonged attention. He was remarkable for a nice 
and ready perception of the proprieties of time and 
place and circumstances. With uncommon ease he 
could read personal character from its casual mani- 
festations. None, who were much in his way, cer- 
tainly, during his ministerial life, failed to find that 



138 HIS CHARACTEK 

he possessed, beyond the ordinary degree, the power 
to influence other minds. Some at least there have 
been, to whom, as a critic, though they were per- 
fectly assured of the friendliness of his feelings, and 
notwithstanding all their efforts to overcome it, he 
has inevitably been a greater terror, than the whole 
of a learned and august Faculty at a College or 
Theological Seminary. 

The passive virtues are preeminently inculcated 
by our Lord ; and in this age of noise and display, 
wherever they appear, they are singularly valuable. 
Mr. Peet's unaffected modesty imparted a charm to 
his character and life ; and undoubtedly increased 
the amount of his usefulness. His modesty did not 
consist in undervaluing, much less, in verbally dis- 
paraging, his own character and attainments. Nor 
was it inconsistent with decision in opinions, and 
fearlessness and earnestness in the expression of them. 
Modesty was undoubtedly a natural trait of his mind, 
and a sweet ornament of his character. But he ex- 
hibited it chiefly as a moral and Christian virtue, 
growing out of a sense of absolute dependence, a 
quickened sensibility to his own personal and infi- 
nite indebtedness to grace; his habit of intimate 
converse with the Bible, so suited to bring down the 
loftly looks of man ; and above all, his habit, as an 
erring child of the dust, of drawing nigh in prayer. 



AND INFLUENCE. 139 

to the pure, High and Holy One. His modesty was 
but " humility looking out at the eyes, beaming in 
the countenance, and spreading itself over the whole 
deportment." 

Under the influence of this attribute of his char- 
acter, his sermons were always an exhibition of the 
pure and unmixed gospel. He had little temptation 
to introduce new and doubtful theories, however 
plausible ; he could not darken and pervert the 
Scriptures, nor leave plain and everlasting truth of 
infinite importance, and substitute novelties, to draw 
to himself the applauses of men. 

" Leaving the wits the spacious air, 
With license to build castles there." 

His modesty gave him an advantage over adver- 
saries. Its influence, on the effect of his preaching, 
is significantly illustrated in the statement of Dr. 
Cummings, given in a preceding chapter, respecting 
the impression produced by his first sermon. A 
modest spirit and manner most betoken conviction 
in the mind of the speaker ; and, after all, are best 
adapted to beget conviction in the mind of the 
hearer. Prejudices that would be but confirmed by 
arrogance and dogmatism, mayfly before the preach- 
er who is humble before God, and who yields a due 
deference to the understanding of his hearers. The 



140 HIS CHARACTER 

ancient father said, in reply to the question, " What 
is the first thing in religion ? Humility. What is 
the second ? Humility. What is the third ? Hu- 
mility." 

He was remarkable for the habit of diligence. It 
has already appeared, that in the earlier period of 
his ministry, he preached usually from four to five 
times in the week, and attended besides, perhaps, 
two thirds as many other public or social religious 
meetings ; and also that he visited much from house 
to house. To this last service he attached great im- 
portance ; and it was with him a service of labor, 
and not a resort for squandering time. 

He has left a curious book, in quarto form, writ- 
ten in his neat and legible style, containing a record 
of all his public services, as a minister, from the time 
he received license to preach, till June of the year 
of his death. In this may be seen exhibited, in the 
briefest compass possible, how many times, and 
where, he preached on every Sabbath, or other day, 
of his ministerial life ; when and where he adminis- 
tered the ordinances, Baptism or the Lord's Supper, 
solemnized a marriage, attended a funeral, or con- 
ducted a prayer meeting, conference, or other re- 
ligious service. He did not himself record the sum 
of his various services ; nor has any one, since his 
death, so attempted to arrive at results, as to justify 



AND INFLUENCE. 141 

a public statement of them ; but every page is heavy 
in the footing, and impresses one with the fact, that, 
in public labors, his life was a race. 

He attended about live hundred funerals ; united 
one hundred and eighty-eight couple in the covenant 
of marriage ; and had a seat in fifty-three ecclesias- 
tical councils. Always watchful and tender of the 
female members of his family, he was, when at home, 
very attentive to household duties, — himself per- 
forming many services, which in ministers' families, 
if not in others, are apt to devolve upon them. He 
was the first to rise and the last to retire. But no 
statements of this sort can impart any just views of 
his actual industry. His intellectual diligence was 
fully equal to that in labors without ; while his spir- 
itual diligence was still more signal. Few men, 
probably, have lived, more entirely filling up time 
with useful employment, than he did. It was ever 
the wonder of his friends, who knew his habits, how 
it was possible for his physical nature to be sustain- 
ed, while he gave but from four to six hours to 
sleep, and was so laboriously employed during all 
his wakeful hours. His mind inclined him to system 
and order in his employments ; and he observed as 
much of method in them, as, in his circumstances, 
was possible. While his diligence was prompt, lead- 
ing him to defer nothing till to-morrow which should 



142 HIS CHAEACTEE 

be done to-day ; it was deliberate, having respect to 
the sentiment of the proverb : " The more haste, the 
worse speed." Industry characterized him till quite 
his last days, proving that, 

" Every disease of age we may prevent, 
Like those of youth, by being diligent." 

The Rev. Fifield Holt, of Bloomfield, his minis- 
terial brother and neighbor, who was much with him 
in his excursions from home, used to say : " I have 
often passed nights in the same room with Mr. Peet ; 
but that I have slept with him, I cannot affirm ; for 
he is always up when I fall asleep, and always up 
when I awake." 

His pure example was an essential element of his 
power, and means of his usefulness. If he had known 
faults, they who know, need not be told of them ; 
while it is not apparent, how the mention of them 
would be suited to profit such as are ignorant. Still, 
there is no indisposition to name faults ; provided it 
could be made apparent, that they did really apper- 
tain to him. And it may be said : " There is no 
man that sinneth not ;" and he was a man. And it 
may be added, that judging from his private record, 
on no day, for fifty years, sick or well, did he fail 
to spend portions of it in mourning over his corrup- 
tions ; and few were the days when it was not with 



AND INFLUENCE. 143 

many tears. He was doubtless in example, as in 
heart, at an immeasurable distance from his perfect 
Saviour. Still it is certain that his example was ap- 
parently disfigured by no faults of a glaring character. 
He was not the slave of any habit of sensuality ; he 
was not loose in habits as to the observance of the 
Sabbath ; he was not dishonest, nor regardless of 
his word, nor prone to exaggeration of statement, 
nor addicted to levity. He indulged not in the 
glitter of worldly fashion and pride, sought not earth- 
ly riches, and coveted not the objects of a worldly 
ambition. And, while he repressed sinful indul- 
gences, he exhibited the positive moral virtues of 
the gospel. Positively, he was sober, just, temperate. 
He was " an example to the believers in conversa- 
tion, in faith, in purity." And in addition, he was 
kind, and gentle, and forbearing and ready to for- 
give. His heart was alive to the distresses of the 
suffering ; he was ready to forego his own comfort 
or ease for the comfort of others. He wounded not, 
needlessly, the feelings of any, and aided not in stir- 
ring up bitter strife. He was far from harshness 
and coarseness in his intercourse with others. The 
young and happy did not see him frowning upon 
any of their innocent pleasures ; the poor did not 
find him distant, nor the aiflicted, unfeeling. He 
was envious of no man's rank, or talents, or honor. 



144 HIS CHARACTER 

The success of another gave him, not pain, but pleas- 
ure. He was glad if a brother had the good which 
he had not, or was free from the pain that afflicted 
him. He was not a suspicious friend. He was good- 
natured, and good-humored. Though not apt to be 
guilty of weak compliances, good nature seemed to 
qualify each thing he said or did ; and made his re- 
proofs, even, while effective, to be easily borne. He 
was courteous, in the best sense of the term, a gen- 
tleman. That such an example must have given un- 
told weight to the gospel, which he preached, none, 
who are considerate, can fail to perceive. 

He was remarkable for attracting to himself the 
veneration and love of his fellow beings. And what 
implies high praise, they ever loved him most, who 
knew him best. 

The writer, a short time before Mr. Peet rested 
from his earthly labors, resided for a time in a fami- 
ly, the intelligent lady of which, when young and 
attending the Female Academy at Norridgewock, 
had her home at his house. Nothing else seemed 
more to disturb her, or would more surely call forth 
her indignant rebuke, than the remotest implication 
of imperfection in him in her presence ; and no ex- 
pressions of his worth, to which she listened, seemed 
to reach her views of his merits. 

Another lady, who also had, when a girl at 



AND INFLUENCE. 145 

school, resided with hira, said, that when consider- 
ing the question submitted to her, whether she 
would consent to be married, her chief objection 
was, that if married, she could no more attend the 
Academy, and board at Mr. Peet's. 

It is believed, that he never had an inmate of 
his family, whether wife, child, servant or boarder, 
and few parishioners, who can now hear his name 
mentioned without awakened emotion. In the re- 
gion where he was most known, the individual who 
should presume to speak disparagingly of him, would 
find himself scarcely tolerated. 

The pastor of the church at Bloomfield lived, for 
many years, at his side, and in habits of the most 
unrestrained intimacy with him ; and none could be 
a more competent witness. 

For the sake of confirmation, and of further il- 
lustration of statements already made, at the expense, 
it may be, of some repetition, additional graphic para- 
graphs from his sermon at Mr. Peet's funeral, are, 
with his consent, transferred to these pages. 

All who hear me, will bear me out in saying, that during the 
thirty-eight years of his residence and ministry in this place, he 
exhibited in a very uncommon degree, the characteristics of the 
11 perfect" and " upright" man. He made indeed, no pretensions 
to freedom from sin. On the contrary he acknowledged himself 
a sinner, who if saved at all, must be saved by grace, through 
Christ. He confessed, and lamented, not only his past sins, the 
sins of his youth, but his daily liability to sin ; and mourned that 



146 HIS CHARACTER 

he was not more fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. And yet. 
such was his conscientious outward practical conformity to every 
known requirement of duty, towards G-od and man. as not only to 
furnish conclusive evidence to all who knew him well, that he did 
at times love G-od with supreme affection, and his neighbor as 
himself, but to furnish no evidence to many, if indeed it furnished 
evidence to any, that he ever felt in a different manner. He may 
have had even outward faults : but if he had any, either as a hus- 
band, or father, or brother, or neighbor, or friend, or minister of 
Christ, they were visible to but few persons, and to them only on 
close inspection, and intimate acquaintance. It is said there are 
spots even in the sun. But they are visible only to keen-sighted 
eyes, and to them only by the help of optical instruments. Nor 
was his comparative freedom from fault ascribable to exemption 
from trial. He knew what it was to be assailed by the envenomed 
shafts of slander's all-devouring tongue. And yet like Christ, 
who when reviled, reviled not again, he rendered not railing for 
railing, but contrariwise blessing. He blessed them that cursed 
him ; was ready to do good to them that hated him ; and prayed 
for them that despitefully used him. He knew what it was to be 
burdened with pecuniary embarrassment and perplexity, and with 
multiplied bodily infirmities : but however heavily these burdens 
weighed upon him, though he may have been heard sometimes to 
sigh, like Job he sinned not with his lips, nor charged God foolish- 
ly. He knew what it was to be often overtasked with labor, that 
seemed to be beyond his physical strength, and yet he never re- 
fused, or seemed to hesitate, to increase his own burdens, for the 
relief of an overburdened brother. But inasmuch as it was in the 
relations of a minister of the gospel that he stood forth most 
prominently to view, it was in those relations that his character 
most brightly shone. As a pastor he was affectionate, affable, 
and familiar with all classes of his people ; and yet never dropping 
a word that was calculated to impair confidence in him, or diminish 
respect and esteem for him, as a good minister of Jesus Christ ; 
but on the contrary, habitually on the watch, to seize a passing 
opportunity to inculcate truth, and promote the edification or sal- 
vation of those in whose company he might be ; like Paul becom- 
ing all things to all men, if by any means he might save some. 



AND INFLUENCE. 147 

As a preacher, though not so brilliant, and fascinating as some 
others in the estimation of worldly-minded people, he was plain, 
faithful, sound, instructive, and edifying. No one could hear him, 
and go away, having any good reason to say, that the preacher's 
meaning had been unintelligible, or that he had been awed by the 
frowns, or seduced by the smiles, of opulence or power, to conceal 
offensive truth ; or had preached unsound doctrine ; or had not 
furnished solid food for thought ; or that such preaching was not 
fitted to edify a candid hearer. The movements of his mind, 
though uncommonly strong, and sure, were not naturally rapid. 
But for this want of natural rapidity of thought he more than 
made up, by the unwearied, single-hearted, and prayerful diligence, 
with which he devoted himself to the studies and labors of his sa- 
cred calling. It is said to have been a common saying among 
stage-drivers, teamsters and others, whose business obliged them 
to pass his house, sometimes very early in the morning, and some- 
times very late at night, that however early in the morning, they 
passed the house of Mr. Peet, or however late at night, they al- 
ways saw a light in his study. For thirty years or more, it was 
his habit to rise at four o'clock in the morning, and not to retire 
to rest till twelve o'clock at night. And none of the intervening 
hours of the day were wasted in idleness or useless recreation. 
His first work in the morning, before any of the rest of his house- 
hold had risen from their beds, and his last work at night, after 
the rest of the family had retired, uniformly was, to retire to his 
closet and give thanks and pray. Hundreds and hundreds of 
times have the low tones of his voice, while the senses of almost 
all others have been locked in slumber, been heard in his study, in 
earnest supplication, as we doubt not, for himself, his family, his 
friends, his enemies, when he had enemies, his church, his peo- 
ple, and the world. And the filling up of the day was such as might 
be naturally expected, from his habit of morning and nightly devo- 
tion. The calls of duty, secular and religious, as they succeeded 
each other, were promptly and faithfully obeyed. Nor did he 
labor in vain. As he took pains to furnish himself with beaten 
oil with which regularly to replenish the lamp of the sanctuary, it 
was a peculiar privilege to worship in the temple where he minis- 
tered at the altar. There was a richness of spirituality in his 



148 HIS CHARACTER 

prayers, and of evangelical truth in his sermons, which could not 
fail to feast the soul of the spiritual hearer. And from among 
the previously unconverted portion of those among whom he la- 
bored in the gospel. Grod gave him many souls as the seals of his 
ministry ; how many, the light of eternity alone can fully reveal. 
His influence was of the silent kind ; and to a great extent in- 
visible, except by means of its effects, in the spiritual verdure and 
bloom, which generally adorned the fields of his labor. He did 
not, like the ancient Pharisees, sound a trumpet before him when- 
ever he attempted any thing for the glory of God or the good of 
man ; nor did he like Jehu call on all around him to come and 
see his zeal for the Lord. His object seemed to be the good 
which he tried to do, and not the credit of doing it. His doctrine 
dropped as the rain, and his speech distilled like the dew, which, 
though it may not be accompanied with any thunder or lightning 
to attract particular observation, makes glad the wilderness and 
solitary place, and causes the desert to rejoice and blossom as the 
rose. 

His influence in Norridgewock, is seen not only in the dif- 
ference between what Norridgewock now is, in respect to social 
harmony, and order, and happiness, and morals, and religion, and 
what Norridgewock was in these respects when he first took up 
his abode in the town, a difference traceable in no small degree to 
his influence, as its instrumental cause, but in the training for 
heaven, which his ministry gave to those whom he found here al- 
ready enlisted on the side of religion, and nearly all of whom have 
since finished their earthly pilgrimage, and been till recently wait- 
ing to welcome him home to his and their Heavenly Father's 
house, — and in the many whom his ministry has added to their 
number, and led along by his sound instructions and faithful 
counsels till many of them, also, have finished their course, while 
others still survive, to hold his name in affectionate remembrance 
as long as they live, and to hand it down to their children, and 
their children's children. But Norridgewock, although it has 
been, especially for the last twenty years, the chief field of his 
labors and usefulness, has been, by no means, the only one. 

During the first eighteen years of his residence here, he was 
not only the Pastor of this church, but also at the same time a 



AND INFLUENCE. 149 

missionary in the then destitute region around. Nor were his 
labors in this capacity marked with less noticeable saving results, 
than attended his ministry here. In New Sharon, Mercer, Madi- 
son, Solon, Bingham, and other places where he labored as a mis- 
sionary, permanent evidence was visible, in souls truly converted 
as their subsequent lives have shown, and in some of these places, 
evidence in churches established by his instrumentality on the 
foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being the 
chief corner stone, that the Lord was with him, and blessed him 
and made him a blessing to those to whom he preached the Gospel. 
Wherever he went he left a savor of godliness behind him, by 
his conversation, which though it had nothing in it like sancti- 
mony or cant, was always such as became a minister of Christ ; 
and by the Bibles, and Tracts, and other good books which he 
distributed among the people. But his ministerial labors are now 
over ; although the beneficial effects of them will doubtless con- 
tinue on earth as long as the world shall stand, and in Heaven, 
for ever. 

The following letter from the Eev. Dr. Tappan, 
of Augusta, obligingly sent to the editor, is inserted 
in this place : 

Augusta, April 15,1853. 

Eev. David Shepley, 

My Dear Sir : — I rejoice to learn that the work of pre- 
paring a memoir of our late excellent friend, the Rev. Josiah Peet, 
has fallen into your hands. Having been with him for several 
years, as a son with a father, you have better opportunities than any 
person out of the family circle, of knowing the man ; and hence 
you will be able to give, in addition to those things which were 
read and known of all men, such minute traits of character and 
incidents of private life as are always needful to an accurate and 
complete portraiture. 

My first acquaintance with Mr. Peet was at the time of his 

ordination in July, 1814. In February, 1816, a " Ministerial 

Conference" was formed, which, three years afterward, was merged 

in the '• Kennebec and Somerset Association." At the meetings 

ii 



150 HIS CHARACTER 

of these bodies, of which we both were members, until the division 
of the Association in May. 1829, we often met. and occasionally 
at other times. The more I knew of Mr. Peet, the more highly 
I esteemed him. If he did not awaken admiration by the corus- 
cations of his genius, the extent of his learning, or the profound- 
ness of his intellectual researches, you could not but respect and 
confide in him, as a man of good sense, consummate prudence, 
unquestionable integrity, sound theological views, and devoted 
piety. The movements of his mind were not rapid : but they sel- 
dom failed of leading to correct results. Few are the men in the 
ministry, or out of it, who more uniformly sustain the character 
of persons " blameless, and harmless, the sons of God without re- 
buke, who shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of 
truth." While he held fast the distinguishing doctrines of the 
puritan faith, and was from principle strongly attached to the 
creed and the polity of his own denomination, many ministers and 
Christians of other evangelical churches had occasion to know, 
that his heart was large enough to love them and pray for their 
prosperity. He was given to hospitality ; and not a few have 
felt since his departure, that a sad breach was made in the circle 
of those, whose friendly greeting, and whose uniformly kind, 
obliging deportment, in their own dwellings, make you feel that 
you are at home. 

In these days of change, it is delightful to contemplate one 
good minister of Jesus Christ, sustaining many years the pastoral 
relations in one place, until he dies, and is buried among his own 
people, embalmed by their tears, and long to be remembered by 
them with an affection, like that of children for a venerated and 
beloved father. The history of Mr. Peet furnishes a very striking 
instance of the strong hold that a Christian minister may obtain 
upon the love and respect of a whole community, without those 
showy qualities that constitute ' ; a smart preacher," or :i a very tal- 
ented man," by the uniform exhibition of an amiable Christian 
spirit, and the assiduous, faithful discharge of pastoral duties. 

It was a signal benefit to the County of Somerset, that Mr. 
Peet, of Norridgewock, and Mr. Holt, of Bloomfield, par nobile 
fratrum : for several years after their settlement, spent a portion 
of their time as missionaries. During the most of this period 



AND INFLUENCE. 151 

they were the only Congregational ministers in that part of the 
State : and their services were of great value to many other 
churches, besides those of which they were pastors, and to a nu- 
merous though scattered population, which would otherwise have 
been as sheep, almost, without a shepherd. 

In the desire and expectation that your forthcoming memoir 
may be an interesting and useful addition to that very valuable 
class of books which gives us the life and character of good men, 
I remain, dear sir, 

Very cordially yours, 

Benjamin Tappan. 

In his public prayers Mr. Peet was remarkably 
rich and impressive. This is true of his prayers in 
his family, and on all social occasions. In the prayer 
preceding the sermon in public worship, a spirit was 
breathed, and an influence exerted, in connection 
with which, the assembly seldom failed to be brought 
into a frame favorable to a profitable reception of the 
truth. 

His influence tended, more than that of most 
ministers, to bring to pass that which God com- 
mands shall be, and which there are reasons the 
most weighty for desiring should be : — " My house 
shall be called the house of prayer." The house in 
which he conducted the worship was thought of by 
those who were worshippers in it, as a house of prayer. 
It was in fact such ; and however others might be 
indifferent, they, who felt themselves to be guilty 
and pressed with wants, eagerly resorted to it ; that 
they might be aided in unburdening their souls to 



152 HIS CHARACTER 

Him who listens to the pleadings of those who love 
Him, receiving their requests for themselves, and 
their intercessions for a whole needy world. 

His sermons, with some exceptions, were not, in 
a literary point of view, highly finished and polished 
productions ; but in them truth was elaborated with 
clearness and strength ; and they were rich in evan- 
gelical sentiment and solid instruction. His texts 
were generally felicitous, simple, free from an affecta- 
tion of singularity, and fairly expressing, in their un- 
perverted meaning, the subjects of the discourses 
drawn from them. He almost always explained his 
text, carefully stating, when necessary, its relation to 
the context. 

As his aim was to glorify God, and save men, 
the peculiar truths and duties of the Gospel constitu- 
ted the topics of his sermons. Few preachers, better 
than he, conformed to the precept of Archbishop 
Usher : " Insist most on those points that tend to 
produce sound belief, sincere love to God, repentance 
for sin, and a life of holiness." He did not so far 
forget that he was an ambassador of Christ, and so 
far wrest the pulpit from its legitimate use, as to 
descant in the presence of those who heard him on 
topics simply pretty or amusing. And yet he was 
among the last to be complained of, as preaching 
month after month on a single subject, or on a con- 



AND INFLUENCE. 153 

tracted circle of subjects. On the contrary, there 
was a rich variety in his preaching, growing out of 
the endless variety in shape with which truth is pre- 
sented in the Scriptures, and corresponding with 
diversity in the course of events, and in the condi- 
tion of those who looked to him for instruction. 
And as he was not monotonous in his choice of sub- 
jects, neither was he in his methods of treating them. 
While ever simple and grave, he had no stereotyped 
method of constructing his discourses. His example 
proves that a preacher, who is studious and devout, 
for the sake of variety, need not render the pulpit 
secular, and " sink his ministrations to the rank of a 
dramatic exhibition." 

He kept his mind wakeful, his conscience tender 
and his heart warm. He loved his books, especially 
his Bible ; and he loved his study. Having more 
than most, to interrupt and prevent studious habits, 
he abounded in study, uniting with it abounding 
prayer. And he appeared before his people "a 
scribe instructed unto the kingdom of heaven," and 
brought " forth out of his treasure things new and 
old." His auditors heard no mere declamation, and 
saw no display of artificial animation. With some 
minor infelicities in utterance to be excused, they 
saw one speaking with such an honest mind — with 
such feeling and solemnity in his tone and manner, 



154 HIS CHARACTER 

as showed that he feared God, and had received " an 
anointing of the Holy One ; " and almost irresistibly 
created the impression that God was speaking by 
one of his servants. They saw one who evidently 
dared keep back no part of God's counsel, withhold 
nothing that is profitable. They heard plain exhi- 
bitions, now of delightful, and again, of awful truths. 
They heard not an abundance of terrific phraseology, 
yet warnings full of terror in their import, and per- 
suasions of weight, accompanied always with feeling, 
and occasionally with tears, that could not be re- 
strained. It was not the preacher's fault if they 
were not instructed, convicted of the truth, and 
savingly profited. 

If occasion required, he knew how to accomplish 
much by a single discourse. Did circumstances call 
for the elucidation and defence of a particular doc- 
trine of the Gospel, he was equal to the emergency ; 
and after he had treated and presented it, there was 
seldom cause to desire much more. Or if some duty 
required special attention, he could present that in 
its proper light, and with its strong enforcements ; 
so that a continued disregard of it became difficult. 
Many of his people will not soon forget the sermon 
in which he called upon them to repair their house 
of worship. The questions have been asked by an 
educated man, who often heard him : " When did 



AND INFLUENCE. 155 

he preach a poor sermon ? When did he offer a cold 
and formal prayer ? Or when give such an exhor- 
tation 8 " 

His preaching, in general, was effective. His 
discourses, by doing something, proved themselves 
to be something. It may be that his hearers seldom 
said much about the garb in which he clothed the 
truth; or about the ability of the preacher; but 
there was apt to be thought about the matter of his 
preaching, and the application of it. Like Christ, as 
a preacher, he was not wont to have indifferent 
hearers. There was a nakedness, a directness, and 
an authority in his exhibitions of the Gospel, as made 
by one evidently assisted of the Holy Spirit, such as 
effectually precluded indifference. Few ministers 
succeed better than he did, in edifying the body of 
Christ ; while the vain, the supercilious and proud, 
the contemptuous, and the devotees of pleasure, 
money or ambition, who heard him, ever found it 
difficult to preserve their self-complacency, and main- 
tain their feeling of security. Under his preaching, 
the thoughts of many hearts were revealed. His dis- 
courses were likened, by a ministerial brother, to " the 
load-stone applied to steel-filings in a heap of cinders." 
The friends of Christ were brought out decidedly 
on the one side ; and his enemies, on the other. It 
is not often that we find in the preacher, in combi- 



156 HIS CHARACTER 

nation, such personal meekness and tenderness as 
his, and such unflinching integrity and undeviating 
fidelity to the Divine claims and honor. 

All periods impose on the minister special obli- 
gations and duties. There were no long periods 
during which there were not numbers, more or less, 
awakened under his ministry. Yet there were pe- 
riods, which might be denominated times of declen- 
sion. At such periods h^ was anxious, and ceased 
not to portray the guilt and the danger implied in 
a state of general apathy. He was wont to scruti- 
nize his own life and motives ; and to exhort the 
members of the church to inquiry and circumspec- 
tion. He would lead the way, in the employment 
of the appropriate means for spiritual invigoration, 
and in repeating the use of them ; till, with God's 
blessing, they became effectual. 

In periods of revival, of which he was permitted 
to witness many, great was his joy, abundant were 
his toils, and singular his watchfulness against what- 
ever might grieve the Holy Spirit. He was as so- 
licitous for the purity of a revival, as for its exten- 
sion. In many instances he did not hesitate, at once, 
to discourage and beat off from hope, those who had 
begun to indulge it ; and in all cases, he was as faith- 
ful as he was affectionate. Many blessed him on 
earth, and will bless him in heaven for his love to 



AND INFLUENCE. 157 

their souls ; and the more for its fidelity, triumphing 
over the suggestions of a false tenderness, that 
might have been ruinous. There were exceptions, 
but converts under his ministry, generally, wore well. 

In the exercise of discipline, and adjudicating be- 
tween opposing parties, whether in the churches with 
which he labored ; or when called to sit in council, 
he was gentle, reasonable and impartial ; but inflexi- 
bly firm in maintaining what he regarded as the 
claims of truth and righteousness. He was out-spo- 
ken ; not doubled-tonguecl. He did not bring him- 
self or others into trouble by vain attempts to please 
all parties, and by contradictory professions of friend- 
ship. Says one who knew him well : " He never 
flattered. I believe that Paul, with all his prying 
scrutiny, plain dealing, and inflexible adherence to 
truth, would not have found that in him to reprove, 
which he found in Peter. He practised no sort of 
dissimulation. He did his blessed Master's work 
with an unflinching integrity and steadfastness, while 
to every compromising Sanballat and Tobias he 
practically said : c I am doing a great work ; so that 
I can not come down.' " 

In his personal intercourse with men, he did not 
strive, nor cry, but in an unobtrusive manner, and of- 
ten unobserved, he " went about doing good." The 
good effects of his conversation, as well as preaching, 
are found in all the towns in which he labored. 



158 HIS CHARACTER 

The compiler can sincerely say, that he seems to 
himself to have essentially failed in depicting ade- 
quately nearly every one of the features in the por- 
trait of that life which it has been his privilege for 
many years to look upon, and from a great variety 
of stand-points ; and which has ever seemed to him 
to be marked by an exceeding loveliness not without 
grandeur ; beauty and grandeur, not indeed of the 
sort which the unthinking of this world chiefly ad- 
mire, but heavenly, and most worthy to be loved. 

But, so far, it has been the portrait of the out '.card 
life, only, that has been attempted. It has not been 
possible, nor important, to keep principles of life en- 
tirely out of view, but we have spoken, directly and 
chiefly, of external manifestations ; of Mri Peet, as 
he has been seen and known of men. Having noticed 
favorable providential arrangements in respect to 
him, we have spoken of his industry, not the im- 
pulses from which it sprang ; of the purity of his con- 
versation, not of his heart ; of his modesty, and not 
his humility. Of course, there was the inward as 
well as the outward life. He had principles of con- 
duct. These the Omniscient only sees, and unerringly 
knows. TVe can only infer them from outward de- 
monstrations. When we are the most confident, our 
knowledge is only inferential. " The tree is known 
by its fruits." Here we should be diffident ; and 



AND INFLUENCE. 159 

yet generally we need not be perplexed. As the 
tree is known by its fruits, we should scrupulously 
estimate it by its fruits, and by nothing else ; and still, 
these, in almost all cases, if properly observed, will 
lead us to conclusions as satisfactory, as to principles, 
as it is important, in this world, that we obtain. 

It is supposed, that there is as little reason to 
doubt, that benevolence was the ruling principle in 
the life of the subject of this memoir, as there is in 
the case of any other man, known by those who 
have known him. More than usual generosity of 
disposition he probably possessed, naturally. A 
holy love of God, and men, was undoubtedly im- 
planted within him while he was a laborer on his 
brother's farm at West Haven ; which predominated 
more and more, as the ruling principle of his con- 
duct, and with less of the leaven of selfishness, till 
at the period, when he was called to exchange worlds, 
it became perfect. It appeared to be large, to em- 
brace all human beings. He was the undeviating 
friend of the cause of temperance ; felt deeply for 
men in bondage, and sought earnestly to advance 
the cause of missions. But as is fit, his benevolence 
seized, with a masterly grasp, on proximate objects, 
dear relatives, dear friends, a dear people. 

Of the particular forms which in him benevo- 
lence assumed, there are two so uniform, so pronii- 



160 HIS CHARACTER 

nent and so effective in producing results, that men- 
tion of them should not be omitted. They were 
first, anxiety for -souls committed to Ms care, with an 
ovenvhelming sense of his responsibility as their min- 
ister • and, secondly, the spirit of prayer. As to 
each of these, it is utterly impossible to produce an 
appreciation of the reality, in the mind of the reader, 
without such an array of detail as has been judged, 
on the whole, to be inexpedient. And even were 
the details to be given, in consequence of our low 
views, and low piety, there would remain the same 
difficulties in the way of appreciating him, that exist 
in appreciating Brainerd and Payson, for he was one 
of like spirit with them. 

It is difficult to determine, whether it was most, 
concern for souls and a sense of responsibility, that 
originated prayer ; or whether it was most, prayer, 
that originated the concern and the sense of respon- 
sibility. Each, in its turn, was probably both 
cause and effect. A ministerial brother, who had 
much intimacy with him, writes : " I shall never for- 
get his prayers. They were like those of Jacob at 
Penuel, and those of Elijah on Mount Carmel. O ! 
how he did take hold of the horns of the altar ! how 
he did plead with God for dying sinners. He bowed 
his inmost soul before God in prayer ; and God did 
bow the heavens and come down, in token of his 



AND INFLUENCE. 161 

approbation of prayer, and to show what a God of 
Almighty power and grace could do." 

A sense of responsibility that was awful, was in 
him associated with no feeling of personal conse- 
quence. Far different was its origin. With him it 
was a settled fact that the Gospel is true ; it was a 
solemn reality, that souls were intrusted to his care ; 
and that their eternal salvation did depend on their 
obeying the Gospel. Nothing that the multitude, or 
that individuals of his nock, could do, could appar- 
ently divest him of a sense of his responsibility for 
them. They might withdraw from the worship he 
conducted ; but still his concern followed them, and 
the burden of their souls rested on him. What will 
become of them, what can be done for them, were 
the inquiries of his groaning spirit. And then would 
come over him an almost insupportable sense of his 
own impotence, and ignorance, and sinfulness ; his 
unfitness, in every respect, to be employed in such 
a work, and his unworthiness to be blessed in it. 
What could he do ? and where could he go ? There 
was one thing he could do, and he did it ; one place 
to which he could go, and he went there. He could, 
and did, go to his place for secret prayer. It was 
his home. He was there much more oft, and long, 
than, it is to be feared, is the fact generally with 
ministers ; and his exercises there were as different 



162 HIS CHARACTER 

from what is common, as they were more frequent 
and protracted. He would rise* at four o'clock on 
Sabbath morning, and a sense of responsibility and 
concern so rush upon him, that while he had but 
partially put on his clothes, he would fall down and 
weep, and pray, and implore. With this burden, 
and from prayer and weeping, he would go to the 
sanctuary; and from the sanctuary he would return 
to weeping and prayer. Such was his self-government, 
and his sensitive abhorrence of all exhibitions suited 
only for sympathetic effect, that the most observant 
of his hearers might perceive, only, that his spirit 
was tender and solemn. Most of his own family 
might perceive nothing more. In the afternoon, it 
was as in the morning. And on Monday morning, it 
was scarcely different with him from what it had been 
on Sabbath morning ; and so on the following days 
of the week. And it was in this way that he lived 
and labored, month after month, and year after year. 
It has appeared already, that he spent whole nights 
in prayer. He may sometimes have been praying, 
when he should have been sleeping ; and may some- 
times have been burdened and weeping, when he 
might have been resting or rejoicing; but O ! how 
many sleep, when they should pray, and are at ease, 
when there is cause for concern ! 

From an early period in his religious history, he 



AND INFLUENCE. 163 

coveted and sought solitude ; like David, Elijah and 
John the Baptist, to worship God alone. And 
looking over his private journal, it is impossible 
not to be reminded of such passages as these in 
the life of Christ : " Jesus withdrew himself into 
the wilderness and prayed." " Jesus, when he had 
sent the multitude away, went up into a mountain, 
and was there alone." "Jesus saith to his disciples, 
c Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.' " " In the 
morning, Jesus rising up a great while before day, 
went out, and departed to a solitary place, and there 
prayed." 

Seeing what he was in prayer, we wonder not at 
what he was in other respects; that the people 
among whom he labored were often visited with re- 
vivals of religion, his preaching was owned and 
blessed of the Holy Spirit ; that laboring in a region 
sparsely populated, and amid many disadvantages, as 
he did, he saw so much good accomplished by his 
instrumentality, and so many pleasing changes ef- 
fected about him ; and that so many on earth and 
in another world, will for ever bless God for him, 
without whose concern and labors and intercessions 
in their behalf, the visions of heaven might never 
have risen upon their souls. " Them that honor me, 
I will honor." 



164 HIS CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE. 

"Prayer ardent opens Heaven, lets down a stream 
Of glory on the consecrated hour 
Of man, in audience with the Deity. 
"Who worships the great God, that instant joins 
The first in heaven, and sets his foot on hell." 

Honored father, thou weepest and bearest burdens 
no longer. Thy supplications are exchanged for 
praise. May we be forgiven, if while thou wast 
with us, we knew but imperfectly thy modest worth. 
Though we saw thee seldom on our public platforms ; 
and in our largest assemblies, thou wast a silent lis- 
tener, when it had been well for us, if thou hadst 
often spoken ; we will not forget thy work, thy ex- 
ample and thy spirit ; and if we may but come to 
any seat, in that world to which thou art gone, it 
shall be enough, though in honor it be far below 
that which thy Master, whom thou didst serve with 
so true a heart, has assigned to thee. 



CHAPTEE VIII. 

FROM HIS OCCASIONAL AND FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 

In this chapter, the reader is presented with oc- 
casional pieces from his pen, together with detached 
passages from his writings. They are given, as suited 
to be useful, rather than, as being intellectually more 
remarkable than others that might have been se- 
lected. In the first article may be seen, what were 
his views, and how unequivocally he was accustomed 
to speak his views, of the great doctrines of the Gospel. 

THE EVANGELICAL SYSTEM. 

According to this system, Jehovah exists with all infinite per. 
fections, the only living and true God, the Creator, Preserver and 
Moral Governor of the Universe. The one God exists in three 
persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God is a holy Sover. 
eign ; requiring his rational creatures to love and serve him su- 
premely. Man is constituted a moral, accountable agent ; rea- 
sonably subject to a divine law, supported by the sanctions of 
eternal life and eternal death. The progenitors of our race trans- 
gressed the Divine command, and thereby forfeited life, and merited 
the threatened death j and their apostacy has so affected their 
12 



166 OCCASIONAL AND 

posterity, that in consequence of it, our whole race are naturally 
destitute of holiness : so that whenever they become capable of 
moral action, they act wickedly, withhold from God their hearts, 
and refuse the obedience which he demands ; and are thereby ob- 
noxious to the penalty of his law : — " Cursed is every one that 
continueth not in all things, written in the Book of the Law, to do 
them." Hence they are in a lost and perishing state ; not only 
as being under condemnation, but so depraved, so inclined to sin, 
and so unmeet for heaven, as to be ruined forever, without a change 
of heart. God. in his unsearchable wisdom, and influenced by his 
own infinite benevolence, devised a method of redemption by ap- 
pointing his only begotten Son, or the eternal Word, which was with 
G-od, and which was God. to become incarnate, and, in that capacity, 
suffer as an expiatory sacrifice, for the sins of men ; that pardon 
might be extended to trangressors consistently with justice, on 
condition of repentance and faith in Christ. All who hear the 
Gospel are invited to come to Christ by repentance and faith ; 
assured of pardon and eternal life if they comply ; and there is 
nothing which prevents their salvation but a voluntary aversion 
to God and holiness : which aversion, however, is so unyielding 
that, by motives merely, unattended by Divine assistance, men 
are never persuaded to repent. It is the prerogative of the Al- 
mighty, by the influences of his Spirit, to make such an application 
of the truth to the mind of the sinner, as shall effectually con- 
vince his conscience, overcome his aversion, and dispose him cheer- 
fully to surrender to Christ and obey the truth. And all they 
who through his grace are brought to Christ renewed in heart, 
are enabled to endure in faith and holiness unto the end ; and 
will, at the second coming of Christ to judge the world, be acquit- 
ted from the sentence of eternal death and received to everlasting 
life ; while all the impenitent and unbelieving will be doomed to 
everlasting death or misery. 

I contend earnestly for the doctrines involved in this system. 

1. So far as these doctrines are matter of personal conscious- 
ness, their truth is attested by Christian experience. Though many 
labor to expunge these doctrines from the Book of God, others re" 
ceive them with interest, perceiving their consistency and excel- 
lence. They believe them to be doctrines of inspiration. They 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 107 

have an experimental knowledge, or inward, evidence, that they 
are the truth ; in accordance with what the Scriptures teach : " He 
that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." 
' ; If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine 
whether it be of God." A multitude of witnesses might be ad- 
duced, who would testify, that what these doctrines teach of the 
depravity and perverseness of the human heart, of the sinner's 
condemnation, lost state, -and exposure to' endless wrath, of his 
need of renewing grace, and the merits of the infinite Saviour, 
they have seen and felt ; and that, at a subsequent period, they 
surrendered to Christ, in the full conviction that he is the only 
Saviour of lost men, as these doctrines teach ; impelled by a power 
which they readily ascribe to Divine grace. They also see a pre- 
ciousness and glory in Christ, and a beauty and an excellence in 
Divine things generally, which they see nowhere else, and expe- 
rience a peace and joy in believing which they derive from no 
other source ; all which is according to what these doctrines teach. 
Thousands of the best men that live thus testify ; and they are 
competent witnesses. No good reason can be assigned why their 
testimony should not be received as having weight. 

2. These doctrines produce effects similar to those produced by 
the preaching of the Apostles. By the Apostles' preaching men 
were convicted of sin and guilt, and exposure to wrath, and cried 
out, " What shall we do to be saved." And they were brought to 
repentance and a new course of life. They manifested a change 
of views, feelings, affections, desires, motives, purposes and joys # 
The change in them was so great that it was called a new creation. 
Similar effects are produced by the Gospel, in the present age : 
and manifestly, too, by these peculiar doctrines. Examine 
places which have experienced revivals of religion. Notice those 
changes which most nearly resemble in apparent genuineness and 
permanency those to which I have alluded ; and you will find 
them brought about by the instrumentality of these evangelical 
doctrines. This fact is too obvious to be denied. And if the 
effects are similar, it argues that the causes are similar ; that 
these doctrines are essentially the G-ospel of Christ. 

3. I believe, that these doctrines are taught in the Bible, and 
constitute the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel; essential parts 



16S OCCASIONAL AND 

of " the faith once delivered to the saints ;" leading truths in the 
great system of truth, which Jehovah has deemed it important to 
reveal for the honor of his own name, for maintaining his moral 
government, and for the salvation of men. I believe that these 
doctrines are taught in the Scriptures, notwithstanding all the 
attempts I have seen to explain away and refute them. No can- 
did, honest and faithful exposition of the Scriptures, I am per- 
suaded, can exclude these doctrines. On the other hand, every 
attempt to exclude them has appeared to me sophistical and in- 
conclusive, and to betray a defect in first principles and great 
ignorance of spiritual things. After all the attempts to weaken 
the authority of the Scriptures, I am well convinced that their 
divine inspiration rests upon an immovable basis, and that the 
things they declare are the declarations of God, and of course do 
not become untrue, because carnal men do not believe and love 
them. Some, we know, believe that men are not in a depraved, 
guilty and ruined state ; — do not need the special grace of God to 
heal and save them ; — do not need an Almighty Saviour, but that 
a created being can do all that is necessary ; that none deserve 
endless punishment, or will ever experience it. These views, I 
am persuaded, cannot be supported without doing violence to the 
general tenor of the Scriptures, and to many of their plainest 
declarations in particular. The arguments, I apprehend, may be 
shown to be defective, and the explanations unnatural or unfair. 
I am well persuaded that if the Scriptures teach any thing, they 
teach views essentially different from these, even the opposite 
doctrines of the evangelical system. No arguments which I have 
yet seen employed to do away the future endless punishment of 
the wicked avail with me, so long as I hear from the inspired 
Scriptures that tremendous sentence of the Judge : " Depart from 
me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his 
angels." " And these shall go away into everlasting punishment.'' 
No history or explanation of the Valley of Hinnom will help us 
here. This fearful language respects the judgment, when all na- 
tions will stand before the judgment seat of Christ ; when the 
wicked of all nations will be separated from the righteous of all 
nations and receive their sentence for eternity. Nor does it avail 
any thing more with me, to labor as many do. to make the Greek 



FKAGMENTAKY WEITINGS. 169 

word, aion, limit the punishment of the wicked to some period 
which will have an end. Since I see the same word used to ex- 
press the duration of the happiness of the righteous, and of the 
sufferings of the wicked, I must conclude that if the former will 
be endless, so must be the latter. 

These doctrines are revealed to be a rule of practice as well 
as a rule of faith. They call on fallen man to change his course, 
and change it greatly, too. The man who does not embrace and 
obey these truths resists the authority of God ; and so far as 
himself is concerned, defeats the ends of a revelation. He is not 
reclaimed from his sinful course, nor delivered from the doom 
that awaits the ungodly. 



PKEJUDICE. 

Prejudice is judgment beforehand. A prejudiced mind judges 
before examining ; forms opinions of things before becoming ac- 
quainted with them, or fairly understanding them. Prejudice 
may be in favor of an object, or against it. As the term is more 
generally understood and used, it is against an object. It may 
originate in a native aversion, may grow out of ignorance, or 
spring from casualty. 

Prejudice is of baleful tendency. It is injurious to him who 
indulges it, and is injustice to its object. Prejudice is indulged 
by many against religion. Many judge and condemn religion 
without a fair examination ; not taking the trouble to acquaint 
themselves with its nature and principles, its aims and ends. 
They know not what it is, but only know it is something of 
which they think ill. They regard it as a gloomy thing, not lovely 
nor desirable ; a thing without which there is greater enjoyment, 
than with it. Many, under the influence of prejudice, discard the 
doctrines of the Grospel without a candid examination. They lis- 
ten to every thing unfavorable to these doctrines which they hear, 
but do not regard as entitled to much weight what they may 
chance to hear in their favor. The very name by which the sys- 
tem of evangelical doctrines is designated, is to many odious. A 
parish in Massachusetts gave a minister a call to settle with them ; 
a man of good talents and unexceptionable qualifications. He 



170 OCCASIONAL AND 

wished to defer his answer till he could consult his friends. 
While he was absent, an influential individual suggested to some 
of the people, that their candidate was a Hopkinsian. ' : Is he 
indeed ? Then it will not do to settle him." The candidate re- 
turned, with a view to accept the call, but found that prejudice 
had been there before him, and he was not wanted. Said a woman, 
living in a plantation in this vicinity, that had not been visited 
by a congregational minister, " I really wish I could see a Calvinist ; 
I should like to see how he looks." She imagined that a Calvinist 
must possess an uncouth visage, or be different from other men 

in his appearance. A Unitarian in A , on going to meeting, 

found that his own minister was not in the pulpit, but had ex- 
changed ; and, imagining that the minister present was of the 
Orthodox, from a neighboring parish, he could hear nothing but 
terror, and went home, declaring that he would not hear him in 
the afternoon. It was found that the preacher was a Unitarian, 
and had but preached a mild sermon to youth. 

Prejudice, in ages past, transformed the humble and inoffen- 
sive disciples of Christ into the vilest of heretics and evil-doers ; 
ascribing to them a character so odious and wicked, that it was ac- 
counted lawful, and even a duty, to destroy them, by thousands, and 
hunt them out of the world. It inflicted the most barbarous cruelties 
that malignant ingenuity could devise. For prejudice there is a 
cure — Divine grace is competent to its removal. It has cured 
many. How the Apostle of the Gentiles loved, and labored to 
promote those doctrines and that cause, which he had labored to 
destroy ! Among the means to be employed for the cure of preju- 
dice, a thorough acquaintance with the objects towards which it is 
indulged, is important. The Scriptures furnish us with a 
notable example. There were strong prejudices existing against 
Jesus of Nazareth, and because he was of Nazareth, a place pro- 
verbially bad. Jesus, seeing two of John's disciples leaving John 
and following him, said unto them, " What seek ye?" They said 
unto him, " Master, where dwellest thou ? " He said unto them } 
" Come and see." They came and saw where he dwelt, were con- 
vinced that he was the Messiah, and became his disciples. One 
of them. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, being anxious that others 
should know Jesus also, as young converts generally are, and as 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 171 

Christian s~should always be, first found his own~ brother, Simon, 
and said unto him, " We have found the Messiah, and brought 
him to Jesus." The next day Jesus found Philip of Bethsaida, 
and said unto him, " Follow me." Philip, on becoming acquainted 
with Jesus, was so much interested in him, that he sought out 
Nathaniel, and said unto him, " We have found him of whom Mo- 
ses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the 
son of Joseph." Nathaniel, though a good man, was not free from 
the power of prejudice, and was led to doubt whether Jesus could 
be the Messiah if he originated in Nazareth, and readily ex- 
pressed his doubts — li Can there any good thing come out of Naza- 
reth ?" This was prejudging, having the mind fixed beforehand, that 
nothing good could come from a place so wicked. Philip did not 
stop to argue the case and labor to convince him, that though 
Nazareth had a bad name, yet possibly something good might be 
found there, but invited him to come and see for himself, and 
judge according to knowledge, and not according to impressions 
he might be cherishing in his ignorance. Nathaniel came to 
Jesus, saw him, heard his words, found evidence that there 
was good in Nazareth, lost his prejudice, and became a disciple. 



WHERE ARE WE GOING ? 

This world is no man's permanent home. When a few years 
are come we shall all leave it. And where are we going ? To 
what country are we bound ? And what will be our condition 
there 1 Will it be better than here ? If we believe so, what is 
the evidence that sustains that belief? Are there good things 
hid from us by the curtain of time, and that lie beyond it % And 
are there evil things ? Is there any thing to be done by mortals, 
while here, whereby they may secure good and avoid evil in the 
world to come % If so, what is it % And have we done it % Are 
our prospects good for the future 1 

" Important journey ! awful view ! 
How great the change, the scenes how new! 
The golden gates of heaven displayed, 
Or hell's fierce flames, and gloomy shade." 



172 OCCASIONAL AND 



HUSBANDS AND WIVES. 

Husbands and wives exert an important influence over each 
other. The Christian husband may be the means of the conver- 
sion of his unbelieving wife ; or the wife, who is a believer, may 
be the means of the salvation of her impenitent husband. This 
is a Scriptural sentiment. " For what knowest thou, wife, 
wnether thou shalt save thy husband; or how knowest thou, 
man, whether thou shalt save thy wife ? " And it accords 
with facts. In how many instances has the believing husband, 
or wife, by fervent prayer and faithful effort, seen an unbelieving 
companion converted ? Is there not a possibility ? And what an 
object ! 

JESUS STILLING THE TEMPEST. 

It was in the darkness of the night ; the disciples were on 
ship-board in the midst of the sea ; and a great storm arose. The 
angry billows were dashing and breaking upon their frail bark, 
one moment rising upon the mountain wave, then plunging into 
the yawning gulf. The ship was fast filling, and threatened to be 
soon buried in the mighty deep. In their consternation they 
awoke their Master, who was asleep in the hinder part of the 
ship, and said unto him, " Lord, save us, we perish." He said 
unto them, " Why are ye fearful, ye of little faith ? " Have you 
forgotten that you have the Messiah, the Son of Grod, with you ; 
and that with him you are safe % " Then he arose and rebuked 
the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." 

There is another scene, somewhat resembling this. It is laid 
in the breast of the awakened sinner. The impenitent man was 
sailing upon the ocean of life, pursuing his course, as he thought, 
prosperously and safely upon a smooth sea, with a fair prospect 
of making the haven of eternal rest. On having his eyes opened 
to survey his condition and prospects, he unexpectedly found the 
sky lowering and a storm approaching ; and as he looked the 
heavens gathered blackness ; the lightning blazed ; the tempest 
howled ; the billows dashed upon his bark ; the gulf of perdition 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 173 

yawned to receive him. Destruction seemed inevitable. His dis- 
tress was great. What could be done % He looked about for 
help, but looked in vain for aid from human helpers. Despairing 
of safety from every other source, he directed his eye to Jesus, 
saying, " Save, Lord, I perish." The Saviour heard ;• he smiled ; 
he said, " Peace, be still !" The lightning ceased ; the storm was 
hushed ; the tempest calmed ; the clouds and darkness dispersed ; 
the sun appeared in brightness. And his tempest-tossed bark, 
emerging from the breaking billows, now rested on a smooth sur- 
face and glided safely o'er a tranquil sea to the haven of eternal 
rest. Thus, by a word, Jesus of Nazareth has given peace to 
thousands of troubled souls, 



CHAPTER IX. 

HIS LEGACY TO THE CHUECHES IN SOMERSET. 

Me. Peet was one of the originators of the Som- 
erset Conference of Churches, and was its scribe, from 
its commencement till a short time previous to his 
death. He ever manifested a lively interest in the 
welfare of this organization of the churches ; and he 
uniformly contributed much by his presence and 
efforts, to render its meetings profitable. This chap- 
ter embraces two dissertations read by him, in ac- 
cordance with assignment before that Conference. 
The first was read at a meeting of the Conference, 
at Mercer, September, 1845, and was immediately 
adopted by them as their circular letter, with a 
request, that it be read in each of the churches 
in the county. The other was read at a meeting of 
the Conference, at Madison, in the year 1846 ; and 
not less than the first, in its subject, is connected 
with the vital interests of religion. If the churches 
with which he was so long associated, shall heed the 



OCCASIONAL AND FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 175 

counsels imparted in these papers, they and their 
children will thereby secure benefits more to be 
prized than large treasures in silver and gold. 

CIRCULAR LETTER. 

The Duty of Christians in a time of Declension. 

Dear Brethren : — It is fully obvious from the Scriptures, 
that Christians are required to be co-workers with Christ in carry- 
ing into effect his redemption ; in promoting the revival of re- 
ligion, the conversion of sinners, and the prosperity and enlarge- 
ment of the churches. This is obviously their duty and privilege. 
There is a manifest connection between certain states of feeling 
and efforts of Christians and the revival of religion. This is 
indicated by the Psalmist's exclamation, " that the salvation 
of Israel were come out of Zion ! " He believed, it would seem, that 
though the revival of religion is the work of G-od, yet it comes 
out of Zion, or through the instrumentality of the people of God. 
And he longed to see that instrumentality so employed, or Zion 
in such a state as would secure the blessing. He devoutly wished 
that this blessing was even now come. There is then something 
to be done by Christians to render them instrumental of a revival, 
or to authorize them to hope for it. What that is, or what will 
prepare the way, on their part, for the revival of God's work, is 
of no ordinary importance to be known and done, as no ordinary 
responsibility rests upon them. 

It may well concern us, then, dear brethren, to inquire with 
solicitude, what is demanded of Christians in the present low 
state of religion in our churches and community 1 

We would suggest, as a reply to the inquiry, that it is incum- 
bent on Christians, 

1. To survey minutely their spiritual state. 

When Nehemiah heard, in Babylon, that his people who were 
left in Jerusalem were in affliction and reproach — that the walls 
of Jerusalem were broken down and her gates burned with fire, 
he sat down and wept and mourned. Certain days he fasted and 



176 OCCASIONAL AND 

prayed and wept. Then having obtained permission of the king, 
he repaired to Jerusalem. And having arrived, the first thing 
he did, was to survey the desolation. He rose in the night and 
went round the city, examined the breaches in the walls, and as- 
certained the situation of the city, and what needed to be done, 
and then set about doing it. 

So it would seem to be our first work to survey accurately our 
spiritual desolations. As we look into the state of our churches, 
we see the remissness, languor, and worldliness that prevail: 
see their numbers diminishing and few or none added to supply 
their places. How unavailing their prayers : how little anxiety 
is felt for those out of the ark ; how little wrestling, agonizing 
prayer in their behalf ; how few tokens of God's special presence 
are witnessed, and what a general slumbering of the wise virgins, 
and the foolish together ; what faltering of zeal and efforts in the 
cause of benevolence, and for the salvation of the heathen, as ap- 
pears from our diminished contributions for these objects. 

And it may be incumbent on us, brethren, to survey the con. 
dition of those who are without — the multitude of the impeni. 
tent, who are going to eternity, in increasing numbers, without 
God and hope, casting off the fear of God and restraining prayer, 
devoted to the objects and pleasures of time and sense, im- 
bibing corrupt sentiments in many instances, or addicted to 
immoral practices, insensible to their guilt and danger, or if not 
grossly immoral, are relying on some supposed goodness of their 
own' — blind to their sinfulness, ill-desert, and exposed to the 
wrath of an offended God — feeling no anxious concern about the 
eternal welfare of the soul — no conviction of their lost and ruined 
state : feeling no need of repentance, or of applying to Christ, but 
are putting far away the evil day and neglecting the salvation of 
the Gospel ; or if they give their attendance on the dispensation 
of the Word, yet seem nothing moved by the truth of God, but are 
careless and secure, while in the way to death. How few and far 
between are conversions among them. 

And it would seem incumbent on Christians, moreover, to 
survey the condition and prospects of society and of the com- 
munities of the land. See what carelessness and inattention pre- 
vail in relation to spiritual things — how little acknowledgment 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 177 

of God, or sense of obligation, or thankfulness to him. What 
forgetfulness of God, departures from him, and abuse of mercies. 
What sordid selfishness, excessive worldliness, and strength of 
covetousness. What trampling on the authority and honor of 
God, and what disregard of his institutions. What proneness in 
men to defraud, and wrong, and vilify one another, and invade the 
rights of others. What opposition to truth and righteousness, 
What inundations of error, and false religion. What enormities 
exist in this Christian land. What legalized oppression, and 
what determination to maintain and perpetuate it. Oppression 
countenanced too, by many who profess the religion of Christy 
How little effect results of late from the Gospel, which is appointed 
as the grand remedy for these evils. How rare the instances, of 
late, in which it is seen to be the power of God unto salvation. 
How long the Spirit has been withheld from the dispensation of 
it. And how is God frowning upon us in other ways ; by blight- 
ing the prospects of man — disappointing their expectations. What 
numerous failures. Men's " wages have been put into a bag with 
holes. 1 ' How vast the amount of property destroyed by fire and 
in other ways. Men have been driven from their dwellings and 
stripped of their possessions by thousands. God seems to be 
showing men impressively the sin and the vanity of making wealth 
their idol. And what destruction of life also by steamboat disas- 
ters, and in other ways. Men are sent to eternity by companies. 
And we are threatened with being further chastised for our sins, 
with the depopulating, demoralizing, impoverishing scourge of 
war. What divisions and animosities exist. How are our liberties 
and invaluable privileges perilled. It concerns us to contemplate 
these things, to survey these evils, till our hearts become suitably 
affected. 

And further, it concerns us to consider what will be the results 
if this state of things continues, — if this season of spiritual dearth 
should be prolonged for years to come. What will be the tone 
of piety — what the state of morals — what the condition of the 
churches ? Where will be our children 1 What will become of 
the mass of the impenitent ? What will be the fate of our be- 
nevolent institutions ? What the state of society 1 and what the 
prospects of our country 1 Christians should contemplate, with 



178 OCCASIONAL AND 

alarm, the disastrous consequences of the continuance of this 
dearth, until they suitably feel the need of a revival, until they 
feel that the Divine interposition cannot longer be safely dispensed 
with, but " that it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain 
righteousness upon us." And, 

2. Is it not incumbent on us, brethren, to search out the cause 
of this declension — ascertain what has led to this state of things ; 
inquire why the Spirit is withheld, and we denied the richest of 
Heaven's gifts, — that revival of religion, which would heal our dis- 
orders and remove the evils we deplore? And here we enter on 
a humbling work, as we have reason to fear that the evils we de- 
plore are more or less attributable to deficiencies on the part of 
the people of God, — to something which is not as it should be, in 
practice, or feeling. 

In searching after causes, the first thing that meets us is a 
criminal departure from our first love. Where are the love and 
zeal that fired our souls in the days of our espousals, and caused 
us to desire and resolve to live unto Christ and to spend and be 
spent for him ? Have we not relaxed in our watchfulness against 
the workings of sin within us, in thought and feeling, word 
and action ; against the temptations and allurements of the world ? 
Has there not been criminal remissness, formality and neglect 
even in the duties of the closet? Have not Christians, to an 
alarming extent, yielded to a spirit of worldliness ? Have they 
not become so identified with their worldly interests, suffered 
their minds to become so engrossed with them, that they can scarce- 
ly find time for the daily reading of the Scriptures and for the 
proper performance of the duty of prayer, morning and evening, 
in the family and in the closet? can hardly spare time to attend 
and maintain a prayer meeting in week time, or to attend the 
Church Conference, or monthly concert? and arc often too much 
fatigued with the business and cares of the world to attend on 
the Sabbath with wakeful interest, And are we not chargeable 
with the sin of covetousness ? It has been said, and we fear, with 
too much truth, that covetousness is the grand sin of the church 
at the present day. It appears in a reluctance to do what is 
requisite to sustain the institutions of religion, to support the 
Gospel at home, and to send it to the destitute abroad. May we 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 179 

not here see a reason why God has withheld his Spirit 1 The church 
has withheld her " tithes," and her support from the missionary 
cause beyond what was meet. When in troublesome times the work 
of foreign missions was embarrassed, the churches neglected to 
come up fully to their help. They withheld the gold and silver, 
which was clearly the Lord's, and some of the missions suffered 
great injury and reproach, and well nigh failed. And Christ was 
offended, and the Spirit grieved, and his gracious visits have been 
suspended since. The church withheld more than was meet 
and has tended to poverty, in more senses than one. And we 
may still feel ashamed in view of the diminished amount, or scan- 
tiness at least, of our contributions to the cause of Christ. 

Further, in the manner of observing the Sabbath, may we not 
find another reason for the withholding of the Spirit 1 Formerly, 
much of the Sabbath was spent in reading the Scriptures. But now, 
very little is read in the Scriptures except in connection with morn- 
ing and evening devotions. The principal reading, even of professing 
Christians on that day, is in the religious papers and journals of 
the day. And though they attend public worship, yet there is 
reason to fear that they do not go to the sanctuary in the spirit 
of prayer, expecting to meet God there, and witness tokens of his 
presence and power in giving efficacy to his Word, agonizing for 
the conversion of sinners. Do they not go, not expecting a bless- 
ing 1 and are they not frequently employed, in the intervals of 
worship, in conversing about their secular affairs, the state and 
progress of their crops, &c, showing that the heart is not where 
it should be on that day ? These things, we must believe, are dis- 
pleasing to God, and may furnish reasons for withholding the in- 
fluences of his Spirit, and frowning upon us in other ways. Is it 
not demanded of Christians that they contemplate these things 
with the deepest concern % And, 

3. That with a deep sense of their responsibility, they set 
about a reformation. And the first step which they seem called 
to take, is to humble themselves before God, in view of his frowns, 
and their deficiencies and disobedience ; that they do this visibly 
and sincerely. It would seem proper, yea, demanded, that the 
churches in our connection observe a season of simultaneous 
prayer and fasting, on a specified day, say, the last Saturday in 



180 OCCASIONAL AND 

October. Let the members of each church meet and spend the 
day in prayer and confessions, and such exhortations and religious 
exercises, as the occasion would seem to demand ; and then spend 
the ensuing evening in religious exercises in their respective 
families, calling the attention of the children and members of the 
family to the vast importance of a revival of religion, and the 
duty of making special suit to God for it. And let them seek 
the blessing with earnestness in the closet. And on Sabbath 
morning, between the hours of eight and nine, let them spend a 
season in concert, each by himself, and let the Scriptures be read 
py all. And then let them go the sanctuary, not thinking about 
their worldly interests, but with sincere desires to honor God, 
and with hearts agonizing in prayer for a blessing on the word 
preached, for the presence of the Holy Spirit to awaken the care- 
less, and effect the conviction and conversion of sinners, and the 
revival of religion. 

If Christians are in fault here, if there is something in their 
practice or spirit which is displeasing to God, and causes him to 
withhold his Spirit from us, — or if they are neglecting to do those 
things which might promote the revival of the work of God, then a 
fearful responsibility is seen to rest upon them. It becomes them 
with the deepest solicitude to look into their case, to rectify what 
is amiss, — " to take up the stumbling-block out of the way, to cast 
up the highway." It concerns them to rouse up. and throw off 
this remissness and formality, — this worldly-mindedness and 
covetousness which is so offensive to God : that they honor the 
Lord with their substance ; that they see wherein they have let 
down their watch, and left their first love, and repent and do 
their first works ; that they return to that love and zeal for God 
which they felt at their first conversion ; — to those ardent desires 
to honor the Redeemer and live unto him, which they felt in the 
day of their espousals ; to that anxious concern for the impenitent 
which they then felt ; that they return to the faithful performance 
of all their duties towards God, and their fellow-men, in the 
family and in the ^closet ; that they maintain and attend the 
weekly prayer meeting. It is stated of a place in a sister State, 
that, during a long season of spiritual dearth, Christians in one 
part of the town kept up a weekly prayer meeting ; while in an- 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 181 

other part it was neglected. At length a revival of religion oc- 
curred, and that part where the prayer meeting had been main- 
tained shared richly in the converting influences of the divine 
spirit, while in that part where the prayer meeting had been 
neglected, few or no conversions occurred. 

It is demanded of Christians that they take time and pains 
for the stated prayer meetings. That they strengthen each other's 
hands by punctually attending the Church Conference ; that they 
manifest an interest in the missionary cause by being present at 
the Monthly Concert, as well as by their liberal contributions ; 
that they encourage each other's hearts by speaking often one to an- 
other ; that they do not suffer the business or cares of the world, 
or a worldly spirit to divert them from their spiritual course, and 
prevent their daily walk with G-od. But they should take time 
for duty and for prayer, and overcome the world by " looking at 
the things which are not seen, and eternal." 

A more strict observance of the Sabbath is doubtless de- 
manded of Christians, at the present day, by themselves, and in 
their families. They should show by example, as well as by 
word, that the Sabbath is not a day for mere bodily rest, or re- 
creations, — is not a season for indulging in vain imaginations? 
idleness, worldly thoughts or conversation, loose reading. — at- 
tending to secular things, making, or receiving visits ; but is to 
be observed in a holy manner, in acts of private and public wor. 
ship, meditation and prayer, searching the Scriptures, and in 
attending to the spiritual and eternal interests of the soul. Who 
will observe the Sabbath suitably, if Christians do not ? Who 
will count the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable ? 
and will reverence the Author, by a due observance of the day, if 
Christians do not? And can Christians expect to be heard in 
their prayers, and visited with special tokens of the Spirit's pres- 
ence, while trampling on, or neglecting this divine institution, so 
plainly required to be kept holy 1 

x\nd perhaps it maybe incumbent on Christians and ministers 
to exhibit more fully and distinctly the distinguishing doctrines 
of the Gospel, which show men their sinfulness by nature, — their 
exposure to the merited wrath of God, everlasting death, — their 
lost and helpless condition, — that they lie entirely at the mercy 
is 



182 OCCASIONAL AND 

of a holy Sovereign, — that it depends on his self-moving goodness 
whether they are renewed to holiness, and saved, or left to perish 
deservedly in their sins. These, and kindred doctrines have been 
the grand means of promoting revivals, and effecting the conver- 
sion of sinners in every age. 

Further, Christians need, at the present time, to " have faith 
in God," as the Saviour enjoins, — to believe that God is able and 
willing to do great things for them, for the sake of Christ ; great 
things for Zion, and for sinful men for whom Christ died. It is. 
demanded of them, that they take hold of the promises of G-od, 
by vigorous faith ; bring their children in the arms of faith to a 
covenant God, and importunately plead his covenant promise in 
their behalf, laboring earnestly for their conversion, diligently 
using the ordinary means of grace, looking to God to make them 
effectual, and believing that he will. 

Since the time of protracted meetings has gone by, in which 
Christians mainly trusted, thinking there could be no revival, or 
conversions without them, — withdrawing their confidence from 
the ordinary means, — and since protracted meetings have so gen- 
erally failed of producing the desired effect, it is demanded of the 
people of God, that they now return again to the diligent use of 
the ordinary means of grace which God has appointed, trusting 
in him to make them effectual. Let them maintain the dispen- 
sation of the Gospel, looking to God, and confiding in God to make 
it effectual to the conversion of sinners, and the revival of his 
work ; believing that his arm is not shortened that it cannot 
save, but that he can make the ordinary means as effectual as any 
other, and as effectual now, as in any past age. 

In short, it is clearly demanded of Christians at the present 
time, that they betake themselves to importunate prayer, — to 
earnest, persevering wrestling with God for the return of his 
Spirit, and the revival of his work, — that they have their hearts 
deeply affected in view of the state and condition of the impeni- 
tent, and deeply anxious for their salvation ; and deeply humbled 
too in view of the probable fact, that their own deficiencies may 
be a reason why the spirit is withheld. Then ought we not to 
feel, dear brethren, that it is time, yea, " high time to awake out 
of sleep," and cry mightily unto God, and give him no rest, until 



FKAGMENTARY WEITINGS. 183 

he appear and revive us again. If when Zion travaileth, she 
bringeth forth children, then it would seem that the churches are 
not now agonizing in prayer for sinners. For where are the chil- 
dren ? The new-horn souls ? Is it not then sacredly incumbent 
on Christians, at the present time, as the Lord's remembrancers, 
to remind him of his promises, and plead their accomplishment, 
to rouse up to unceasing, earnest prayer ?— to refuse to be silent, 
or to be comforted while Zion's ways thus mourn. Let us resolve 
unitedly, with the Prophet, that " for Zion's sake, we will not hold 
our peace, and for Jerusalem's sake we will not rest, until the 
righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation 
thereof as the lamp that burnetii." 

DISSERTATION. 
Desecrations of the Christian Sabbath. 

There is in men very extensively a proneness to desecrate the 
Sabbath. They seem loth to observe the institution according 
to its nature and design. The Author of the Sabbath claims 
that it be observed as a holy day. He has prescribed, that secular 
business and recreation, secular thoughts and words, be suspend- 
ed, and that the day be spent in religious exercises ; in the public 
and private worship of himself ; in the searching the Scriptures • 
in meditation and prayer; in receiving and imparting religious 
instruction. I need not repeat the command. It is very explicit. 

But to an alarming extent, men are prone to deviate from this 
command, and spend the Sabbath in a very different manner from 
what is required. Some entirely set aside the Sabbath ; pay no 
regard to the day, as a divine institution. And this is done, not 
only by individuals, but by communities and nations. France, in 
the days of her prevailing infidelity, set aside the Sabbath wholly- 
In her zeal to throw off the restraints of this institution, she 
changed the mode of reckoning time, dividing it into decades — pe- 
riods of ten days, instead of seven. Thus the Sabbath was done 
away ; and with it all morality ; and a deluge of wickedness, of 
every form, rolled in upon the land. And even now, the Sabbath ? 
in Paris, is a day of business and pleasure ; pre-eminently a season 
of recreation and amusement. 



184 OCCASIONAL AND 

And it is very much so, in some portions of this professedly 
Christian country. In New Orleans, as you have noticed, horse- 
racing and various sports and diversions, are the order of the day. 
And though such open, public desecration of the Sabbath, by 
communities, is not general in our land, yet, to an alarming ex- 
tent, individuals may be found pursuing their secular business 
and various avocations, on that day, regardless of the sacredness 
of it, and of the authority of Jehovah, in appointing it. 

Others, again, while out of regard to their own reputation, or 
to civil law, they refrain from openly attending to their secular 
business on this day ; yet have no conscientious scruples about 
pursuing it, in a more private way ; by looking over their farms, 
or their papers, and adjusting things, and planning their business, 
and getting ready for resuming it early, after the Sabbath is 
past. Or without troubling their consciences much, they can 
pursue their journey, return from market, or ride out for pleasure. 
Others, again, who acknowledge the Sabbath to be of divine ap- 
pointment, and who profess to regard and observe it as such, yet 
are very sparing in their observance of it, they are loth to devote 
the whole of the day to the worship and service of God. They 
want some time for indulging in extra sleep, some for reading 
the news, and for worldly conversation. They think it a weari- 
ness to attend public worship both parts of the day, unless the 
exercises are short ; can hardly be said to " call the Sabbath a 
delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable :" and can hardly wait for 
the Sabbath to close, before they enter upon some secular business 
or recreation. Others, again, who admit that the Sabbath is a 
divine institution, and as such should be observed, yet find much, 
which they call work of necessity, to be done on that day ; as 
getting in grain, or hay, or securing property which is exposed, 
pursuing journeys, or running stages, cars, canals or steamboats. 

Is there not a very extensive proneness in men thus to abuse 
this divine institution ? In view of this fact, and of the conse- 
quences that must result to communities, and to immortal souls, 
the friends of the Sabbath have taken the alarm, and have rallied, 
and have combined their influence, and are putting forth efforts, 
if possible, to rescue the Sabbath from its desecration, and pro- 
mote the due observance of the institution. 



FKAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 185 

I am unwilling to leave the subject, without suggesting two 
or three considerations, adapted to deter men from Sabbath dese- 
cration. To desecrate the Sabbath is to act the part of fools and 
madmen. They who do it act against their true interests for this 
world and the next. For the Sabbath is pre-eminently a benevo- 
lent institution, designed and adapted to benefit man. Said our 
Saviour, " The Sabbath was made for man." It was made for 
promoting and securing his best interests, his spiritual and eter- 
nal well-being. But, say some, if the Sabbath was made for man, 
then we may use it as we please ; make it subservient to interest 
or convenience ; or at least, we need not be so scrupulously exact 
in our observance of it. But it is to be remembered, that it is the 
Sabbath that was made for man, that was designed to be thus 
promotive of his best good. This holy day is the boon. If, then, 
we would realize the benefit designed, we must make a Sabbath 
of it. We must observe it, according to its nature, as required. 
If we do not do this, if we make it, or use it, like other days, it 
is no Sabbath to us. We deprive ourselves of the benefits of this 
divine institution. Thus by desecrating the Sabbath, men coun- 
teract the benevolent purpose of their Creator in giving them this 
institution, and deprive themselves of the good designed them. 
They act against their own true interests. 

By desecrating the Sabbath, men not only ivrong themselves, 
but do immense injury to others. They spread mischief among 
their fellow men. They do vast injury to the community in which 
they reside. They do this by their example and influence ; and 
owing to human perverseness, a corrupt example is imitated more 
readily, and extends more rapidly, than a virtuous example. 
Hence, as we read, " One sinner destroyeth much good." See how 
sure, and how rapid this influence in families where the parents 
desecrate the Sabbath. They not only do not instruct their chil- 
dren to keep the day holy unto God, but they teach them by their 
example that they need not observe the day in this manner ; and 
how ready, and how sure are they to follow the example. How soon 
they are found trampling on the Sabbath, neglecting the worship 
of God, and searching the Scriptures ; and are seen at their plays 
and sports, and, in various ways, profaning the day, without com- 
punctions of conscience. And how pernicious the influence of a 



186 OCCASIONAL AND 

few such families upon the young people in the neighborhood, or 
community. And suppose so many of the leading families, in a 
place, should be so loose on the subject, that the public worship 
could not be maintained, as would be the case, if the Sabbath 
were to be laid aside, how rapidly would immorality and vice pre- 
vail, and how rampant in wickedness would the youth soon become. 

How mischievous^how deplorable, especially the example and 
influence of men of wealth and of high standing in society, men 
in office, civil rulers and others, when they desecrate the Sabbath, 
and trample on this holy day, and neglect the worship of God. 
What multitudes are emboldened by their example, to pursue a 
similar course, to disregard and profane this day, neglect the wor^ 
ship of God, and hence the concerns of their souls, and the great 
salvation. Thus, they, who desecrate and profane God's holy 
day, not only wrong and ruin their own souls, but diffuse mischief 
and wickedness through the community, and are accessory to the 
ruin of other souls. 

For men thus to desecrate and profane the Sabbath of tlie Lord, 
is daring impiety. It is trampling on the known and sacred in- 
stitution of Jehovah ; refusing to obey his plainly-expressed com- 
mand, and, thus, contemning the authority of the most high God. 
It is refusing to acknowledge, and worship and honor God. their 
Maker and Sovereign. 

God has set his Sabbath as a sign between himself and the 
children of men. As such the Sabbath serves to develope human 
character ; to show whether men will serve, worship and honor 
God, or not; to show who will do this, and who will refuse. In com- 
mitting his Sabbath to men, God has been pleased to lay upon 
them a plain, positive, explicit command. They cannot, there- 
fore, plead ignorance of his will. Hence, they who observe the 
day according to the commandment, and they only, exhibit a con- 
duct, showing that they have the fear of God before their eyes. 
and the love of God in their hearts ; that they respect his author- 
ity, and honor, and have pleasure in his service and worship. They 
who refuse to regard and observe aright this divine institution ; 
who profane this holy day, contemning his known command, show 
that they are opposed to God, and that they do not fear to con- 
temn his authority. They practically say that they will not obey 



FRAGMENTARY WRITINGS. 187 

God. " Who is the Lord that we should serve him 1 We know 
not the Lord, neither will we obey his voice." 

Thus, the Sabbath is a sign between God and man, a test by 
which to try and prove them. It serves to show, when God's will 
is clearly known, who will obey, and who will not obey him. It 
is plain, therefore, that they who profane the Sabbath, are in a 
state of active rebellion against God, and guilty of impiety of the 
most daring character. And shall not God visit in his wrath 
a people who do this ? 

God is jealous for his honor. He will arise and take ven- 
geance on them who thus trample it in the dust. Let us, then, as 
individuals, as churches, and communities, feel concerned for the 
honor of God ourselves, remember the Sabbath day to keep it 
holy, and lend our aid to those who are laboring to recover it from 
its desecration, and to promote its due observance. 



SERMONS. 



SERMON I. 

GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLY GREAT AND GOOD. 

Job xi. 7. 

Canst thou by searching find out God ? Canst thou find out the 
Almighty unto perfection? 

Men are naturally prone to think little of God. 
It is said of the wicked, u God is not in all their 
thoughts." Most who do think of God, and who 
have some knowledge of him, are content with en- 
tertaining vague, and very inadequate conceptions 
of his being and perfections ; incompatible with a 
due reverence for God, and due respect for his au- 
thority. To know God, and Jesus Christ, whom he 
hath sent, is the highest and most important know- 
ledge to which mortals can attain. For improving 
our knowledge of the Divine Being we have great 
advantages, both in the word of God, and in his 
wonderful works. And yet the utmost knowledge, 
to which mortals can attain, falls infinitely below 
what is to be known of the Divine Being. Created 



192 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLY 

minds are too limited to gain or receive any thing 
like a perfect knowledge of the infinite God. The 
more we search into, and contemplate his being and 
attributes, and the more extended the discoveries 
we obtain of his perfections ; the more we become 
lost in amazement in view of his unsearchable great- 
ness ; and the more deeply impressed with his in- 
comprehensible excellence. We are shown by the 
text that no finite mind can search out the nature 
and perfections of God ; but that he is incompre- 
hensible. We may, by searching, find God ; but 
cannot find him out. We cannot describe his na- 
ture, nor his excellence ; — nor fathom the depths of 
his wisdom, or designs, — nor ascertain the bounds 
of his power. 

Who can comprehend the nature of God ? What 
constitutes his essence ? He is said to be a Spirit. 
But who can comprehend a Spirit % And especially 
an infinite Spirit ? What is the essence of a Spirit ? 
Who has seen it, or who can describe it ? Who can 
comprehend the manner or mode of the Divine exist- 
ence ; — a trinity in Unity / — three persons, — but 
one God. One God existing in three persons. We 
know the fact, because it is revealed. But what can 
we do towards comprehending it ? God is incom- 
prehensible in. Ms attributes. Who can comprehend 
the duration of his existence ? Existence without 



GREAT AND GOOD. 193 

beginning, and without ending ? We can go back 
in thought, and conceive of God as existing before 
any creature was formed ; — before he began the work 
of creation ; — and can conceive of his existing alone, 
and being infinitely happy in the possession of his 
own perfections, and prerogatives, and in the con- 
templation of his purposes, ages before any other be- 
ings existed. But what can we do towards compre- 
hending, or even conceiving of existence which had 
no beginning ? Go back in thought, myriads of years, 
till imagination is wearied by flight, and you find 
God existing in all his attributes. But what have 
you gained? You would then be no nearer the 
beginning of his existence than you are now ; for it 
had no beginning. And as the Divine existence had 
no beginning ; it will have no end. Contemplate, 
then, a Being who exists from everlasting, or, with- 
out beginning ; and who will ever continue to exist ; 
who, when millions and millions of ages shall have 
rolled away, will be no older than he is now : — no 
nearer his end than now ; and what have you done, 
and what can you do, towards comprehending the 
eternity of God's existence ? 

God is equally incomprehensible in his omni- 
presence. That God is essentially present in all parts 
of his Universe, is a doctrine clearly taught in his 
Word. Says one inspired, a Whither shall I go from 



194 GOD INCOMPEEHENSIBLY 

thy Spirit ? Or whither shall I flee from thy pres- 
ence ? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there. 
If I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. 
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the 
uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand 
lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." We can- 
not comprehend the fact that God is present in all parts 
of this little globe on which we dwell ; — present in 
every family ; — with every solitary individual ; — and 
in all the numerous and infinitely diversified scenes 
and events that are transpiring on earth ; exercising 
an agency, and exerting an energy, in nourishing 
every creature that exists ; in effecting the produc- 
tions of the earth ; and in upholding and moving all 
things in the natural world. If we extend our view 
to the other planetary orbs connected with our Sys- 
tem ; some of which are much larger than this, and, 
no doubt, have a much more numerous population 
of intelligent beings than ours ; — we find that God 
is equally present in them all, exerting in them 
equally an agency and an energy, not only in up- 
holding them and moving them in their orbits, but 
in upholding and nourishing the myriads of their 
inhabitants. But we cannot stop here. The eye 
ranges through the visible heavens, and fastens upon 
the numerous fixed stars that are hung out in the 
open space, at immense distances from us. Each of 



GKEAT AND GOOD. 195 

these we suppose to be a sun to another system of 
worlds, like ours ; all peopled with intelligent beings. 
In all these worlds, and with all these myriads of 
beings, Jehovah is equally present, every where, as 
with us. 

But reason, authorized by the science of Astrono- 
my, extends the view still farther, and perceives 
other systems of worlds as far beyond these, and 
others still beyond those, in every direction, in all 
which God is every where present. And here we 
must not exclude from our contemplation, infinite 
space. From this little orb to which we are con- 
fined, we look out into the open space around us, 
with some amazement, at what we are enabled 
to behold of the wonderful dwelling place of the 
Creator. But still our limited vision can penetrate 
but a little way into the vast expanse. What can 
you do, my hearers, towards comprehending bound- 
less space ? Conceive, if you can, of expanse without 
limits. Put your imagination upon the flight, and 
pass rapidly by system after system of worlds even 
far beyond the orbit of the comet, which has been 
longest in performing its revolution, of any which 
have been discovered ; and pursue your course till 
imagination becomes weary in the flight, and you 
find no bounds to space. You even approach no 
nearer the limits of the infinite expanse, for it has 



196 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLY 

no limits. Indeed we can conceive of none. Were 
we to admit the idea of bounds to infinite space, 
what can constitute those bounds? What can be 
found beyond this space to limit it ? What can we 
conceive of as existing that can furnish bounds ? We 
may call back imagination unsatisfied, for there are 
no bounds. But who can comprehend boundless 
space ? How lost are we in the contemplation of 
it ! Yet Jehovah fills it all, and has decked and 
garnished it with innumerable orbs of light, and 
worlds peopled with intelligent beings, which he 
holds in the open space fixed or revolving in the ut- 
most order and harmony. This universe of space, 
with its worlds of intelligent beings, is Jehovah's 
dwelling place ; — his house. He occupies and fills 
it all. Well might the Saviour say, " In my Father's 
house are many mansions." Jehovah surely is not 
to be comprehended by any finite mind. God is 
incomprehensible also in the attribute of power. 
The power of God must necessarily be infinite, as it 
is an essential attribute of an infinite Being. This 
will be manifest, also, if we contemplate its effects. 
What shall we say of power that could build this 
mighty Universe ; — the countless worlds that are 
hung out in the open space, and are made to revolve 
around their centres in perfect order ; — that could 
create all that these worlds contain, animate and in- 



GKEAT AND GOOD. 197 

animate ; — all the myriads of intelligent beings that 
people these worlds ; — that upholds all these worlds, 
and all the inhabitants that exist ; — that provides 
for the support of all ; — for the laws of nature, so 
called, according to which the earth brings forth 
her productions for the support of its inhabitants, 
are nothing more nor less than Divine power operat- 
ing in a uniform manner. See his power displayed 
in wielding the elements, — as in tempest, the tor- 
nado, the flood, the volcano, the earthquake. 

The power of God is further illustriously dis- 
played, as well as his wisdom and goodness, in the 
wonderful work of Redemption ; — also in the con- 
version of sinners ; — in the continuance, efficacy, and 
success of the Gospel, which is the power of God 
unto salvation ; — also in the perseverance and com- 
plete sanctification of the Saints, who are kept by the 
power of God ; — also, in the amazing event, — the 
resurrection of the dead, when the generations under 
ground will be raised to life at once from their scat- 
tered dust ; — their bodies reunited to their immortal 
spirits to be separated no more ; — and also in the final 
retribution of the righteous and the wicked — the lat- 
ter sent away into everlasting punishment, and the 
former raised to a state of endless and ineffable glory 
and blessedness in heaven. Thus the Omnipotence 
of God is beyond the comprehension of finite minds. 

14 



198 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLY 

Hence it is written, " Great is Jehovah, and of great 
power. His understanding is infinite." " Lo ! these 
are parts of his ways, but the thunder of his power 
who can understand \ " 

Further, God is incomprehensible in the attribute 
of Omniscience ; — the attribute by which he knows 
all things. God's omniscience results from his Om- 
nipresence. As he is every where present, and fills 
all things, he must have a perfect knowledge of all 
things. This knowledge implies prescience. It is 
a knowledge of things future, as well as of things 
present and past. This results from the eternity of 
his being. As he is from everlasting to everlasting, 
— as he fills eternity as he does immensity of space, 
he must have a perfect knowledge of all things past, 
present and future. 

Hence it is written, " The Lord is a God of 
knowledge, declaring the end from the beginning." 
" Known unto God are all his works from the be- 
ginning." As he knows his own plan, — he knows 
what will be done. " Neither is there any creature 
that is not manifest in his sight. For all things are 
naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom 
we have to do." " There is no darkness nor shadow 
of death where the workers of iniquity can hide 
themselves." " Hell is naked before him, and de- 
struction hath no covering." u Darkness and light 



GREAT AND GOOD. 199 

are both alike to him." He also knows the secret 
workings and emotions of every heart. Said the 
Psalmist, " Thou knowest my thoughts afar off. 
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and 
art acquainted with all my ways ; and there is not 
a word upon my tongue, but lo ! O Lord, thou 
knowest it altogether. Such knowledge is too won- 
derful for me. It is high. I cannot attain unto it." 
Saith the Alpha and Omega, " I search the heart 
and try the reins." " O the depth of the riches both 
of the wisdom and knowledge of God ; — how un- 
searchable are his judgments, and his ways past find- 
ing out." " There is no searching of his understand- 
ing." " His understanding is infinite." 

God is incomprehensible in his purposes and 
designs. None can fathom the depth of his counsels. 

His purposes were formed in eternity in wisdom 
and benevolence. Of their depth and extent we can 
know nothing further than they are actually reveal- 
ed or developed in time. But as secret things be- 
long to God, and as his counsels are but partially 
developed to our understanding, and as much yet 
remains a secret with him, to be unfolded and ac- 
complished in future ages, or in eternity, we cannot 
pass judgment upon them; knowing, as we do, so 
little of their nature and extent. " His judgments 
are a great deep" which no finite mind can fathom. 



200 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLY 

" With him is strength and wisdom ; the deceived 
and the deceiver are his." " In whose hand is the soul 
of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." 

" Life, death, and hell, and worlds unknown, 
Hang on his firm decree ; — 
He sits on no precarious throne. 
Nor borrows leave to oe. 

Chained to his throne a volume lies. 

With all the fates of men ; 
With every angel's form and size. 

Drawn by the eternal pen. 

Here he exalts neglected worms. 

To sceptres, and a crown : 
And there the following page he turns. 

An d treads the monarch down. 

Not Gabriel asks the reason why, 

Nor God the reason gives ; 
Nor dares the favorite Angel pry 

Between the folded leaves." 

The same is true, to a great extent, of his 'provi- 
dential dealings. Many of the events of his Provi- 
dence are inscrutable to finite minds. They are 
dark and mysterious. We cannot perceive the de- 
sign or object. We can assign no satisfactory reason 
for them. It is emphatically true, with resj>ect to 
much of the providential conduct of Jehovah, as the 
Saviour said, " What I do, thou knowest not now." 
The events of his Providence, as far as they go, are 
the development, or unfolding, of his secret pur- 
poses. And as the heavens are high above the 



GKEAT AND GOOD. 201 

earth ; — so his thoughts are above our thoughts, and 
his ways above our ways. Hence we cannot com- 
prehend the reasons for much of the Divine conduct. 

" God moves in a mysterious way, 
His wonders to perform ; 
He plants his footsteps in the sea, 
And rides upon the storm. 

Deep in unfathomable mines 

Of never failing skill, 
He treasures up his bright designs, 

And works his sovereign will." 

And yet we are assured, " His work is perfect. 
For all his ways are judgment ; a God of truth, 
and without iniquity, just and right is he." 

I observe once more, God is incomprehensible in 
the dispensations of his grace. God does not bestow 
the blessings of his grace and salvation upon indi 
viduals or communities, imparting to all equally. 
Some places are visited with refreshings from his 
presence, and sinners are converted, and Christians 
quickened ; while other places remain like the moun- 
tains of Gilboa, having no rain nor dew. And even 
in places where he pours out of his Spirit, all do not 
share it equally. " One is taken and another left." 
And in many instances they are made trophies of 
grace, who, to human view, were most unlikely to 
become such ; while others of fair exterior, and se- 
rious deportment, remain unchanged. 



202 GOD INCOMPKEHENSIBLY 

This conduct shows his Sovereignty, and is in 
accordance with his own declaration, " I will have 
mercy on whom I will have mercy." Here again 
we are lost in wonder and amazement in view of the 
dispensations of God's grace. They are a great 
deep, which we cannot fathom. We may not in- 
quire why he does thus, or so ; much less may we 
presume to censure or pass judgment upon any of 
the acts of his sovereign grace. The reasons for his 
conduct are with himself. It is not our province to 
demand them. 

" May not the sovereign Lord on high, 
Dispense his favors as he will, 
Choose some to life while others die, 
And yet be just and gracious still ? " 

Here, we cannot comprehend God's ways : 

i; Then let our souls adore our God, 
Who deals his graces as he please, 
Nor gives to mortals an account, 
Or of his actions or decrees." 

And it is interesting to observe, further, that 
the Being who is thus incomprehensible in the re- 
spects already named, possesses also, in the highest 
degree, every moral perfection. 

He is not only unsearchable in greatness, but 
glorious in holiness. The Prophet, in a vision, saw 
the Lord seated upon a throne high and lifted up, 



GREAT AND GOOD. 203 

and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the 
seraphim, each having six wings, and one cried to 
another and said, " Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of 
hosts ; the whole earth is full of his glory." Said 
Joshua to Israel, " Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he 
is an holy God." " He is of purer eyes than to be- 
hold iniquity." 

We have ample assurance from Divine Revela- 
tion that the Being who is incomprehensible in 
knowledge, wisdom and power, is also just and good 
and true, and infinitely benevolent. 

When his servant, Moses, requested that he 
might behold the glory of God, the answer of Je- 
hovah was, that he would cause his goodness to pass 
before him. And hence he proclaimed himself " The 
Lord God, merciful and gracious ; — long-suffering and 
abundant in goodness, — forgiving iniquity, transgres- 
sion and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." 

They whom John saw in vision standing upon a 
sea of glass, with the harps of God, sung the song 
of Moses and the Lamb, and said, " Great and mar- 
vellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and 
true are thy ways, thou King of Saints. Who shall 
not fear thee, and glorify thy name, for thou only 
art holy." Though clouds and darkness are round 
about him ; — though his purposes and ways are un- 
fathomable, yet justice and judgment are the habi- 
tation of his throne. 



204 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLY 

But the benevolence and mercy of God are il- 
lustriously displayed and proved by the wonderful 
method of redemption, in the giving of his coequal 
Son a ransom for us ; — opening the way, by his aton- 
ing death, for goodness and mercy to flow to the guilty 
and the lost. Hence an Apostle says to the Jews, 
" Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, long- 
suffering and forbearance, not knowing that the 
goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." 

Here it appears that riches of goodness, long-suf- 
fering and forbearance, come from him as an over- 
flowing fountain of benevolence, and through the 
atoning merits of Christ's blood flow down to guilty 
men. 

We are then constrained to admit that God is 
incomprehensible in his essence, his nature, the mode 
of his existence, his purposes, and in all his attributes. 
We have the means of knowing something of God, — 
even all that is necessary to our duty and obedience, 
and to secure our salvation. But we cannot know 
him unto perfection. The ages of his eternity can- 
not be numbered, nor the space of his immensity 
measured. The depth of his wisdom and counsels 
cannot be fathomed, nor the extent of his power 
bounded. The brightness of his glory can never be 
described, nor an inventory made of the treasures 
of his goodness. 



GREAT AND GOOD. 205 

With the subject before us, I remark, 

1. What cause for joy and rejoicing is the fact 
that God is on the throne of the Universe. 

We may rest assured that he will accomplish his 
deep desigus ; — will produce the greatest amount of 
good. His admission of partial evil will be for the 
bringing about of a greater good. He will overrule 
all things for the furtherance of his own glory, which 
will involve and secure the greatest happiness of all 
who love and serve him. There is, then, ground for 
the fullest confidence in God. In the language of 
inspired Saints, we may say, " The Lord reigneth, 
let the earth rejoice." " Alleluia ! for the Lord God 
Omnipotent reigneth." 

2. Consideration of the Being and attributes of 
the infinite God should serve to fill us with the 
deepest humility and self-abasement; — humility in 
view of our own ignorance, littleness, and limited 
powers ; being able to know and comprehend so 
little of the Divine Being, his attributes, designs, 
works and ways, — and hence poorly competent to 
sit in judgment upon the purposes of God, or upon 
the acts or dispensations of his Providence. Self- 
abasement, in view of our own unlikeness to God ; — 
numerous transgressions of his reasonable commands, 
and wide deviations from his known will. Well 
may we abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and 
ashes. 



206 GOD INCOMPKEHENSIBLY 

3. The due contemplation of the incomprehen- 
sible God is adapted to awaken in the mind the 
deepest reverence and the most devout adoration. 
Who can dwell upon his unsearchable nature, attri- 
butes and perfections; — his glorious excellence; — 
wondrous works and ways, and inscrutable dispen- 
sations and purposes ; — without being filled with 
reverential awe and godly fear; without adoring 
the Being whose attributes and ways are thus past 
finding out ? And how suitable is the language of 
them who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, 
and say, " Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord 
God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou 
King of Saints. Who shall not fear thee and glorify 
thy name, for thou alone art holy." 

4. And now who would not desire to have this 
Omniscient, All-power ful God — this incomprehen- 
sible, adorable Being, for a friend • — to have him 
for your friend and protector, while here below, and 
be admitted, hereafter, to his immediate, blissful 
presence, to be placed where you will not only at 
once have far more clear and elevated views of the 
adorable perfections, and works, and ways of God ; 
but where these will be developing and unfolding 
to your enraptured vision, from age to age, through 
eternity ? What can be so desirable as this ? What 
is there of such vast importance as this ? The exist- 



GREAT AND GOOD. 207 

ence of the Divine Being will never end. You, my 
hearers, have commenced an existence which is to 
run parallel in duration with his. Of what incon- 
ceivable importance is it, then, that you be admitted 
to enjoy his presence and favor, and to behold his un- 
folding glories through the ceaseless ages of eternity. 

But to this blessedness you can never be admit- 
ted unless you become reconciled to God by repent- 
ance, submission, love, and new obedience in this 
probationary life ; unless you fall in with the method 
of reconciliation which he has devised ; — believe in, 
and embrace the Lord Jesus Christ. This done, you 
cannot fail to be happy in whatever part of the uni- 
verse you may dwell, for the glorious God is there. 

5. How truly fearful and appalling are the pros- 
pects of the unrepenting sinner ; of those who die 
in a state of impenitence ; without holiness, — under 
the dominion of sin. God's favor and blissful pres- 
ence they can never experience ; hence his frowns 
must be their sad inheritance. Though permitted 
to range throughout creation, as they cannot escape 
his presence, the tokens of his displeasure they must 
every where meet. 



SERMON II 

s saviouk o: 

LUKE XIX. 10. 

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 

These words were spoken in connection with the 
conversion of Zaccheus. On a certain occasion, as 
Christ passed through Jericho, a chief among the 
publicans had a curiosity to see him, and, to ac- 
complish his purpose, he climbed up into a sycamore 
tree. When Jesus passed, he noticed him, and di- 
rected him to hasten down, for he must abide that 
day at his house. " And he made haste and came 
down, and received him joyfully." But this step of 
our Saviour displeased the people ; and they said 
" that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a 
sinner." By this expression, the Jews betrayed their 
ignorance, not only of their own hearts, but of the 
nature of Christ's mission. What though Zaccheus 
were a sinner, so were they sinners. And what 



THE SAVIOUR OF THE LOST. 209 

though Zaccheus had been the chief of sinners, as 
they supposed, this did not prove that it was im- 
proper for Christ to visit him ; since, as he soon 
showed them, to visit sinners for their good, was the 
great end for which he came into the world. " I am 
not come to call the righteous, but sinners to re- 
pentance." And the sequel shows that his visit to 
Zaccheus was not in vain. The fact that he became 
a disciple seems to be indicated in the Saviour's 
declaration, " This day is salvation come to this 
house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that 
which was lost." The passage teaches that Christ 
came into the world as the Saviour of lost men. In 
discussing this sentiment it may be proper to show, 

I. In what respects men are lost, and, 

II. In what way Christ saves them. 

I. I am to show in what respects men are lost — 
The fact that men are in a lost state, is rendered 
incontrovertible, not only by the declarations which 
assert it, but by Christ's coming to save them. If 
God has provided a Saviour for men, then it follows 
that men need to be saved, or, in other words, are in 
a lost state. Who would presume to impeach the 
wisdom of the Almighty by saying that the advent, 
the sufferings and the death of the Lord Jesus Christ 
were needless ? But do they not say this, who deny, 



210 THE SAVIOUR 

that man is in a lost state, and unable to save him- 
self? If man can save himself, does he need a Sa- 
viour ? Whence did angels feel so much interest 
and joy in announcing to the world the "birth of a 
Saviour, if men are not lost? But the subject will 
receive further illustration, as I proceed to show in 
what respects men are lost. 1. They are transgres- 
sors of God's lata. They have broken the reason- 
able commands of a holy God. Though required su- 
premely to love and serve God, from the first mo- 
ments in which they are capable of moral action, 
they have been violating the laws of God all their 
days. Their sins have increased over their heads, 
have grown unto the heavens, and have been multi- 
plied beyond man's power of computation. 

I know not that it is important to ascertain the 
precise time when men begin to sin, or when they 
are capable of moral action. Perhaps it is sufficient 
for us to know that whenever they begin to put 
forth moral action, such action as can be compared 
with a rule of duty, or of right, they begin to sin. 
And this may be earlier than we suspect. This is 
thought to be apparent, 1. From the circumstance 
that nothing is said in the Scriptures of any holy 
action of sinners previous to their beginning to sin ; 
which leaves us to infer that their first moral acts 
are sinful. This is apparent, 2. From those declara- 



OF THE LOST. 211 

tions of Scripture which represent man as being not 
only wholly sinful, but sinful from his earliest ex- 
istence ; as being " shapen in iniquity," as " being es- 
tranged from his birth," " goiug astray as soon as he 
is born, speaking lies," and which declare that " every 
imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil 
continually." The Scriptures further state of both 
Jews and Gentiles, that they are " all under sin," 
and that " all have sinned, and come short of the 
glory of God." Now, if all have sinned, then every 
age has sinned. Every moral agent has transgressed. 
This is further apparent, as all are subject to death, 
and death is said to be the consequence of sin. " By 
one man sin entered into the world, and death by 
sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all 
have sinned." Now, as every age is subject to death, 
it would seem that every age sins. 

2. Men are by nature entirely unholy. They are 
not merely in a state of guilt, for having committed 
a few offences, but in a state of entire moral de- 
pravity. They are not merely wanting in true love 
to God, but they possess dispositions inclined to sin ; 
a heart, not only destitute of holy affections, but 
prone to evil, averse to holiness, and unreconciled 
to God. 

That this is the case with all men by nature, may 
be gathered from those Scriptures that affirm it. 



212 THE SAVIOUR 

some of which have been already cited. If men are 
" shapen in iniquity," " estranged from their birth, 
speaking lies ; " if every imagination of the thoughts 
of their hearts is evil continually, it would seem that 
they are wholly evil. 

But other Scriptures declare them to be " dead 
in trespasses and sins ; " to be voluntary servants to 
iniquity, and free from righteousness ; that they pos- 
sess the carnal mind, which is enmity to God, which 
is not subject to his law, neither, indeed, can be. 
Hence it is written, " They that are in the flesh can- 
not please God." And the reason is obvious. They 
are in an unholy state ; are enemies to God. " But 
I know you," said Christ to natural men, " that ye 
have not the love of God in you." He further says, 
" No man can come to me except the Father which 
hath sent me draw him." But no reason is assigned 
why they cannot, but their perverseness. They are 
unwilling to come. They do not love Christ. They 
are so strongly inclined to sin that they cannot, or 
will not be persuaded, without Divine influence, to 
forsake their sins and embrace the Saviour. On this 
fact the Saviour seems to rest the necessity of re- 
generation. " Except a man be born again, he can- 
not see the kingdom of God.". Now, if men are not 
in a state of entire unholiness, utter moral depravity, 
and unfitness for heaven, so that it is morally certain 



OF THE LOST. 213 

that they will never love God, or become holy of 
themselves, where is the necessity of their being 
born of the Spirit ? Every one knows that regenera- 
tion is not the perfection of holiness. If, then, it be 
any thing, it must be the commencement of holiness 
in the heart. It must follow, then, that there is no 
holiness in men previous to regeneration. Hence 
they who are holy, who have repented, who love 
God, are said to be " new creatures," to be " born of 
God," " created in Christ Jesus unto good works," 
"quickened," when dead in sins, "saved, not by 
works of righteousness which they have done, but 
by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the 
Holy Ghost." 

From all these representations, it appears that 
man is, by nature, in an unholy state, a state of en- 
tire moral depravity and perverseness which utterly 
unfits him to dwell with God, or enjoy him, and 
from which he will never, of himself, emerge. He 
is, therefore, in a lost state. 

With the fact before us, that we are thus guilty, 
and sinful, and lost, it becomes us rather to medi- 
tate on our recovery, than to speculate on the origin 
or cause of our sin and ruin. It is sufficient that we 
are told that it is, in some way, in consequence of 
the fall of our first progenitor. God made man up- 
right; but, being mutable, Adam became sinful 

15 



214 THE SAVIOUR 

He fell from Ms primitive holiness, in the exercise 
of the freedom given him, as a moral agent ; and in 
the effects of his fall he involved his posterity. The 
head and representative of our race being sinful, it 
was made certain, by Divine constitution, that his 
posterity would be like him. And so it was. Adam 
" begat a son in his own likeness." And this, in 
fact, was to be expected. " "Who can bring a clean 
thing from an unclean? Not one." Hence, men 
are called " the degenerate plants of a strange vine ; " 
and the Scriptures assert, " that by one man sin enter- 
ed into the world, and death by sin ; and so death pass- 
ed upon all men, for that all have sinned." " For, as, 
by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, 
so, by the obedience of one, shall many be made 
righteous." Had Adam remained holy during his 
time of trial, he being the head of the race, we have 
reason to believe, his posterity would have been so 
likewise. We are authorized, then, to say that, in 
consequence of the fall of our first parents, all our 
race are found entirely unholy, depraved, and alien- 
ated from God ; and to be in this state is to be lost. 
3. Tliey are condemned to deatli for their sins. 
They are in a state in which they are, every mo- 
ment, exposed, and liable to destruction ; liable to 
be cast off by the stroke of justice, and made wretch- 
ed outcasts from God's favor and presence, for ever. 



OF THE LOST. 215 

The sentence of destruction is upon them ; and God 
may justly execute it, at any moment. They are in a 
perishing state, asthey have no foundation in their own 
souls for peace, in whatever world they may dwell. 
Their souls are so disordered by sin that they are 
like the troubled sea whose waters cast up mire and 
dirt. They are in a perishing state, inasmuch as 
they deserve to perish. They have forfeited all 
favor, merited the displeasure of God, sold them- 
selves into the hands of justice, are children of 
wrath, and will surely perish if they shall have their 
deserts. 

Finally, men are unable to effect their own deliver- 
ance from sin and ruin. As to any effectual efforts 
which they will of themselves be induced to make, 
their destruction is inevitable. Such being the con- 
dition of man, is he not in a lost state ? 

Having shown in what respects men are lost, I 
come now to show, 

II. In what way Christ saves them. Christ 
came to seek and to save lost men. For this work 
he was qualified. And he accomplishes it, 

1. As he pardons their sins. He procures their 
acquittal from the curse of the law, the sentence of 
destruction, the claims of justice. This he effects by 
the atonement he has made for their sins. Having 
assumed a perfect human nature in union with the 



216 THE SAVIOUK 

Divine, the person, Christ Jesus, became qualified to 
suffer. Being, hereby, found in the sinner's place, 
under the law, the law asserted its claims. He 
yielded. His obedience was perfect. But more, the 
law asserted its penal claims. Hence he became 
obnoxious to the curse, not for his own sin, but for 
man's sin. He honored the law, both by obeying 
perfectly its precepts, and by suffering the curse due 
to transgressors, in whose place he stood. This glo- 
rious personage, by surrendering his own life, a ran- 
som, when justice called for the sinner's blood, by bear- 
ing our sins in his own body on the tree, has so mag- 
nified the law, so honored justice, as to prepare the 
way for mercy to be exercised in pardoning the 
penitent. Now Christ, having done this in the ca- 
pacity of mediator, has, by virtue of his own merit, 
purchased the prerogative of pardoning the penitent, 
of acquitting them from the sentence of condemna- 
tion, and of justifying them, through virtue of his 
own perfect righteousness. He becomes their sure- 
ty, " the end of the law for righteousness to every 
one that believeth." Thus Christ saves them from 
the guilt and the condemnation of sin who repent 
and believe. And, 

2. He purifies them from sin. He renders them 
holy. The work of holiness he begins at regenera- 
tion, and carries forward until they are perfectly 



OF THE LOST. 217 

freed from sin, and ripe for glory. This he does by 
his word and Spirit. By his word he teaches men 
in the things of their peace. By his Spirit he makes 
his word effectual in opening the eyes of the under- 
standing, convincing the conscience, transforming 
the will, subduing the heart, and begetting love to 
God. Thus, in regeneration, he translates souls, not 
only from darkness to light, but from death to life ; 
quickens them when dead in sins; delivers them 
from the bondage of Satan ; and brings them into 
the liberty of the sons of God, as he brings them to 
himself. The same word he makes instrumental, by 
his Spirit, in carrying out the work of holiness 
which he begins. He applies the word to their 
souls for their quickening, spiritual growth, and con- 
solation ; keeps them in the faith ; works in them to 
will and to do that which is well pleasing to God ; 
makes them victorious over all their sinful propensi- 
ties ; and makes them more than conquerors over 
all the enemies of their souls. Thus he subdues 
them to himself, makes them his willing subjects, 
disposes them voluntarily to renounce all sin with 
true contrition, heals all the maladies of their souls, 
and disposes them to love God with all their hearts. 
Thus he raises them from the ruins of the fall, and 
lays a foundation in their hearts for happiness and 
glory. He saves men, not only from the penal con- 



218 THE SAVIOUE 

sequences of sin, but from the dominion and pollu- 
tion of sin, by the effectual working of his Spirit. 

3. He gives them eternal life. Christ Jesus, in 
the capacity of mediator, has, by his own merits, 
purchased a heavenly inheritance for all who love 
him. By the offering up of himself, without spot, 
unto God, he has obtained eternal redemption for all 
who obey him. He " is able to save them to the 
uttermost that come to God by him." His own 
declarations are, u Because I live, ye shall live also." 
" My sheep hear my voice ; and I know them ; and 
they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life ; 
and they shall never perish." Thus the Lord Jesus 
Christ, by his own merits and power, saves lost men, 
even all who come unto him, from the guilt and 
punishment of their sins ; purifies their natures ; and 
carries them, spotless and pure, to the presence of 
God, and the glories of heaven. 

From the subject let us learn, 

1. What gratitude is due to God for redeeming 
mercy. We here see the origin of all the hopes of 
a ruined world. The mercy of God originated the 
plan of salvation. This provided the ransom. Had 
not the eternal God been so moved, by his infinite 
compassion and mercy for our sinful world, as to give 
his Son a ransom for us, that whosoever belie veth 
in him might not perish, but have everlasting life, 



OF THE LOST. 219 

our whole lost race had been doomed to wail and 
weep in eternal exile from God, as the just punish- 
ment of their sins. Have any of you, my hearers, 
just ground for hope, that you shall escape deserved 
wrath and taste the joys of eternal salvation, you 
owe it to infinite grace. And, while you cherish a 
hope so precious, let your breasts glow with the 
liveliest gratitude to him who " commended his love 
unto us, in that, while we were yet enemies, Christ 
died for the ungodly," and who has called you effec 
tually, with a holy calling. 

2. In what high estimation should the Lord Jesus 
Christ he held by our guilty race. He is the Saviour 
of lost men, and their only Saviour. There is sal- 
vation in no other. He is the Saviour they need, 
an all-sufficient Saviour, who, to qualify himself to 
save the lost, was made perfect through suffering. 
Christ is highly to be prized. Be cautious against 
undervaluing Christ, or entertaing derogatory views 
of him, or listening to those systems which degrade 
him. For he is the pearl of great price, the chief 
among ten thousands, the Lamb of God which taketh 
away the sin of the world, the Lord our Righteous- 
ness. He is altogether lovely. Is it a favor to be 
rescued from sin and hell, and raised to heaven and 
eternal glory ? Prize, then, the Lord Jesus Christ, 
who is able to save to the uttermost. Adore his 



220 THE SAVIOUR 

Divine excellence, which gives such value to his 
righteousness, such efficacy to his atonement. Prize 
him as mediator. Prize him for what he is. Prize 
him for what he has done. Manifest your high es- 
timation of him by surrendering to him, and owning 
him Lord, by forsaking sin and drawing nigh unto 
him, by submitting to his righteousness, and em- 
bracing his salvation, by denying yourselves and 
following him, by espousing his cause and seeking 
his glory. " Count all things but loss for the excel- 
lency of the knowledge of Christ." 

3. They who die impenitent are not saved by 
Christ. He saves none in their sins. This was not 
his errand into our world. His name was called 
Jesus, a Saviour, because he should save his people 
from their sins. All who are saved by Christ are 
saved from their sins. They voluntarily repent of 
their sins, and abandon them. They become holy. 
They love God. They receive Christ as precious. 
They are born again : they are new creatures, and 
walk in newness of life. And it is in this way they 
prove their union to Christ, and their interest in his 
salvation. And without this deliverance from sin, 
none are, or can be saved. Kay, deliverance from 
sin is an essential part of salvation. They who are 
not holy, are not saved, and cannot be. " Without 



OF THE LOST. 221 

holiness no man shall see the Lord." u Except a 
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of 
God." Although Christ is able to save, to the ut- 
termost, all who come to him, yet they only are 
saved who believe. This condition is indispensable. 
They that believe not in Christ must perish. They 
have no interest in Christ. They do not become 
savingly benefited by his advent. Of course, they 
are as really lost as if no Saviour had been provided, 
and must as inevitably perish. Dying in their sins, 
they will be driven away in their wickedness. And, 
for them who reject Christ, there remainethno more 
sacrifice for sins. 

4. How important that men should know tlieir 
condition. They must know it in order that they 
may feel their need of the intervention of Divine 
mercy, and learn how to value him who came " to 
seek and to save that which was lost." How dan- 
gerous, then, are all those systems and modes of rea- 
soning which lead men to flatter themselves that 
they are not in a lost state. These all tend to quiet 
men in their sins, to prevent them from being con- 
cerned for the soul, to render them insensible to their 
need of Christ, and blind them to his inestimable 
worth. And, as they prevent men from applying 
to Christ, they lead them on to utter ruin. They 



222 THE SAYIOUE 

fix upon them that doom from which the Saviour 
came to deliver them. O sinner, be on your guard 
here. Be warned of your danger. You are in a 
lost and perishing state. Will you not believe it ? 
The Saviour has declared it in his word. He has 
testified to this truth with agonies and blood. In 
view of such testimony, will you not be convinced 
that you are in a lost state ? Will you be persuaded 
to the contrary ? It is safer to regard the declara- 
tions of Christ than the reasonings of carnal men, 
who have never yet seen the plague of the heart, 
and are blind to their own character and state. It 
is safer to regard the declarations of Christ than to 
follow the feelings of your own carnal mind. O 
then, be convinced that you are lost. I would not 
have you needlessly distressed, but distressed, that, 
in your want, you may apply to the great Physician. 
I would have you convinced of your lost state that 
you may suitably prize the Saviour of lost men. I 
would you were distressed even now, while distress 
may be availing, rather than wail for ever, with un- 
availing anguish. You who are impenitent have 
cause for distress. As you have slighted, abused, 
and provoked a holy Gocl, you are exposed to his 
holy wrath and righteous indignation. Even now 
is the sentence abiding on you. There is cause for 



OF THE LOST. 223 

alarm. " It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands 
of the living God." O sinner, trouble is near. 
Tribulation and anguish are coming. Be anxious 
to avoid it. Repent, Fly to the Saviour, that you 
be not irrecoverably, eternally lost, Amen, 



SERMON in. 

BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE EXPOSTULATIONS "WITH 

SINNEES. 

Acts xvi. 28. 
Do thyself no harm. 

Religion has, in all ages, been calling on men to 
change their course, to refrain from certain things 
which they wish to do, and to perform certain things 
which they are reluctant to perform. Hence there 
have been laid complaints against the Gospel. It 
has been charged with imposing upon men unrea- 
sonable restraints, and with abridging their liberties. 
Hence prophets, apostles, and teachers of religion 
have been considered, by many, as troublers of the 
people. And individuals, when the claims of reli- 
gion have been urged upon them, have been dis- 
pleased, and disposed to say, as did the children of 
Israel to Moses, when urging them to flee from their 
state of bondage in Egypt, " Let us alone, that we 
may serve the Egyptians." So now, individuals, when 



DIVINE EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 225 

the claims of personal religion are pressed upon them, 
seem to say, " Why trouble us ? Let us alone, that we 
may live as we please." I feel desirous to show that 
the Gospel is not to be considered as an unwelcome 
intruder, as a disturber of man's peace. It comes 
not to you as an unfriendly visitant : seeking to rob 
you of that which is truly valuable, or to impose 
upon you any unreasonable, burdensome or injurious 
service, or self-denial. It aims not to injure, or 
wrong any, but, if possible, to prevent all from in- 
juring or wronging themselves. Its aims, tenden- 
cies, efforts and ^expostulations, may be summed up 
in this : " Do thyself no harm." This is the spirit 
of true religion, as delineated in the precepts and 
doctrines of the Gospel ; as breathed out in the 
prayers of the people of God ; and as exemplified in 
the lives of Christians. 

See this spirit exhibited by the Apostles, in the 
case to which my text alludes. Paul and Silas, 
going forth on their divinely appointed mission, 
came in contact with a damsel, who was possessed 
with a spirit of divination ; and who brought her 
masters, or employers, much gain by soothsaying. 
Paul, being affected in view of her condition, and of 
the imposition which she and her employers were 
practising upon the people, rebuked the spirit, and 
commanded him to come out of her ; and immedi- 



226 BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE 

ately the foul spirit left her. And when her em- 
ployers saw that the hope of their gains was gone, 
they were enraged, and caught Paul and Silas, and 
brought them before the magistrates, saying, " These 
men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 
and teach customs which it is not lawful for us to 
receive, being Eomans." Had they spoken the 
truth, they would have spoken differently. The 
true reason of their concern was the failure of their 
iniquitous gain. But the reason assigned for arrest- 
ing the Apostles answered their purpose better than 
the true reason. It enraged the multitude against 
them. " And the magistrates rent off their clothes 
from the Apostles and commanded to beat them. 
And when they had laid many stripes upon them 
they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to 
keep them safely; who, having received such a 
charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made 
their feet fast in the stocks." But at midnight they 
were overheard by the prisoners in the other cells. 
And what was heard ? They were not hearcl vent- 
ing execrations against their persecutors for treating 
them so cruelly and unjustly; they were not heard 
bemoaning their hard lot, doomed, as they were, to 
lie upon the cold earth, their stripes undressed, their 
feet in the stocks ; they were not heard wailing un- 
der the weight of their sufferings. Instead of this, 



EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNEKS. 227 

they were heard praying and singing praises unto 
God; praying doubtless for their persecutors and 
enemies, who were fighting against God. They 
wished them no harm. " And suddenly there was 
a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the 
prison were shaken ; and all the doors of the prison 
were opened ; and every one's bonds were loosed. 
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his 
sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, drew his 
sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that 
the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a 
loud voice, Do thyself no harm; for we are all 
here. Then the keeper called for a light, and 
sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before 
Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, 
Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? And they 
said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ; and thou 
shalt be saved, and thy house." Why did the Apos- 
tles interpose to save the life of the jailer? He 
being dead, they might have escaped from the prison 
without molestation. 

Here we see the spirit by which the Apostles 
were actuated, the disinterestedness and benevolence 
of their religion. They saw a fellow mortal about 
to thrust himself into eternity by his own hand, un 
called and unprepared. And they felt more con- 
cerned for him, though an enemy, than for them- 



228 BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE 

selves. They did not cry unto him, do us no harm, 
but " Do thyself no harm." They were anxious to 
save his soul from future wrath, regardless of what 
awaited them as prisoners. Here was the spirit of 
religion. Here was a spirit of which the jailer knew 
nothing before. This, together with the extraordi- 
nary circumstances of the case, served to produce 
conviction in his mind, such that, instead of securing 
them again in their cells, he fell at their feet, with 
the anxious inquiry, made by every convicted sin- 
ner, " Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? " And 
the Apostles preached Christ unto him, made him 
acquainted with the only Saviour ; and he believed 
on him, and embraced him, and was baptized, and 
his household, straightway. Now the jailer, render- 
ed humane by the power of religion, washed their 
stripes, and gave them refreshment. Thus great 
evil was prevented, and great good secured. " Love 
worketh no ill to his neighbor." It labors to pre- 
vent men from injuring themselves. 

All, who are deviating from the course which 
virtue dictates, and which leads to present and end- 
less felicity, religion addresses individually, in the 
language of the text, "Do thyself no harm." 

To him who is tempted to commit suicide, it 
says, Abandon your purpose at once. Put away the 
halter, the poison, or the pistol. "Do thyself no 



EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 229 

harm." Do not terminate prematurely your proba- 
tionary life, short at best, and rush, uncalled and un- 
prepared, ere you have done the work for which 
you were sent into the world, into the presence of 
your Judge. Do not destroy and involve yourself 
in the guilt of self-murder. Rather resolve to wait, 
all the days of your appointed time, till your change 
come : striving to do with diligence the work assign- 
ed you, while probation lasts, that so you may give 
up your account with joy. 

In the same language, religion addresses the 
duellist. Harm not yourself. Pat away your rifle. 
Sheathe your sword. Banish from your heart the 
spirit of retaliation and revenge, that prompts you 
to the rash, the murderous step. Lay not your own 
bosom bare to the fatal ball or sword of your adver- 
sary. Take heed how you trifle with existence, and 
throw away the life which God has so kindly given 
you. Incur not the guilt of deliberately murdering 
your brother for a trifling provocation. Neither 
put your own life thus in the power, and at the dis- 
posal of an enraged enemy. Deprive not your fami- 
ly and friends of your society and aid, on which they 
have a claim, till God shall call you away. Be not 
chargeable with the folly, guilt, and madness of such 
a step. Beware of the awful account which the 
murderer must render. " Do thyself no harm." 

16 



230 BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE 

Rather become reconciled to your enemy. " Agree 
with thine adversary quickly." Bury your animosi- 
ties ; and love men as brethren. And above all, be 
reconciled to God. 

And to him who has entered upon any vicious 
or immoral course of conduct, the Gospel comes in 
kindness, and says, " Do thyself no harm." Proceed 
not in that course. It is a forbidden, and therefore, 
a guilty, and dangerous, and deadly course. It will 
harm you. It leads to destruction. Pursue it not : 
enter not into it : avoid it : turn from it ; and pass 
away. " The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." 
" Now therefore, hearken unto me. For blessed are 
they that keep my ways." " Counsel is mine, and 
sound wisdom." " I love them that love me ; and 
they that seek me early shall find me." " Riches 
and honor are with me ; yea, durable riches and 
righteousness. My fruit is better than gold ; yea, 
than fine gold ; and my revenue than choice silver. 
I lead in the way of righteousness ; that I may cause 
those that love me to inherit substance." " Blessed 
is the man that heareth me : watching daily at my 
gates." " For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and 
shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sinneth 
against me wrongeth his own soul. All they that 
hate me love death." 

Religion expostulates with the intemperate man. 



EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 231 

He is displeased with the interference. He con- 
siders that he is competent to take care of himself: 
at liberty to do as he pleases. He charges religion 
with abridging his privileges, and interrupting his 
enjoyment, and is offended by her interference. 
But what is her offence ? She simply says to the 
intemperate man, " Do thyself no harm." " Wine is 
a mocker. Strong drink is raging : whoever is de- 
ceived thereby is not wise. Look not thou upon 
the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in 
the cup. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and 
stingeth like an adder." Parley not with an enemy 
so treacherous. Put not yourself in the power of 
so deadly a foe. Avoid the course, the consequences 
of which are so disastrous. Be temperate in all 
things, and enjoy the happiness which shall result. 

Religion has the same benevolent object in plead- 
ing with the rumseller, to desist from his business. 
It seeks to prevent his harming himself as much as 
others. It labors to dissuade him from a course by 
which he is not only doing immense injury to others, 
but wronging his own soul. The language of its 
spirit is, Deal not out that deadly poison by which 
you rob others of their property, their health, and 
their reputation, and ruin them for this world, and 
for the next, besides rendering their families, beyond 
description, wretched. Incur not the crying guilt 



232 BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE 

of such a sin, and of producing such an amount of 
sin and wretchedness in others. Do not, for the 
sake of gain, be the instrument of destroying so 
much good, and producing so much evil. Make not 
yourself, for filthy lucre's sake, a curse to others, a 
nuisance to society. Harm not yourself by acquir- 
ing gain in such a way. Be afraid of gain thus ac- 
quired. It will prove a curse to you. It will plant 
thorns in your dying pillow. It will be a swift wit- 
ness against you in the day of judgment. Do not so 
greatly wrong yourself. 

And its object and its language are the same 
when addressing the oppressor, who is wrongfully 
holding his fellow-beings in bondage for the sake of 
gain. He is exceedingly tenacious of what he deems 
his rights and prerogatives. He is offended by every 
reproof, expostulation, and entreaty, and by every 
effort to promote the release of the oppressed. He 
regards it, as an attempt to rob him of his rights and 
privileges, or of his property, and to wrong and in- 
jure him. Whereas religion comes to him with a 
benevolent regard for his own good, a concern for 
him, as wronging and injuring himself. It entreats 
him not only to desist from wronging others, but to 
desist from wronging himself. "Do thyself no 
harm." " Do not involve yourself in the crying sin 
and guilt of oppressing God's poor, of robbing your 



EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 233 

fellow-beings of the rights which God has given 
them, the dearest rights and privileges that any 
possess. God says : " All souls are mine." He re- 
quires all to know, worship and serve him. The 
Saviour commands us to give the Gos]3el to every 
creature. Incur not the guilt, then, of usurping the 
Divine prerogatives, and of saying of some of your 
fellow-beings, These souls are mine : they shall not 
know and serve God, but shall serve me. They 
shall not obey the will of their Maker, but shall 
obey my will. They shall not have the Gospel and 
the means of salvation, but shall live in ignorance, 
and be devoted solely to my use and benefit. Do 
not harm yourself by pursuing a course which will 
array against you the wrath of Him, who " will 
judge the poor of the people, and break in pieces the 
oppressor." Harm not yourself by heaping up treas- 
ure derived from the unrequited toil of those who 
have reaped down your fields; thus causing their 
cries for redress to enter into the ears of the Lord 
of Sabaoth. Wealth thus acquired will prove a 
curse rather than a blessing. Eather do that which 
is just and right. Break every yoke, and let the 
oppressed go free. " Love thy neighbor as thyself." 
Do unto others as you would that they should do 
unto you ; and thus prove yourself to be one of the 
children of God, interested in his favor and salva- 
tion. 



234 BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE 

EeligioD, in the exercise of the same benevolence, 
expostulates with young people. It addresses those, 
who. having passed the age of childhood, and having 
inclination for indulgences not granted them, begin 
to consider themselves better judges than their pa- 
rents of what it is fitting and proper for them to do. 
Hence they become strongly inclined to depart from 
instructions, throw off restraint, and indulge them- 
selves, openly or covertly, in courses which they 
know are not in accordance with the views and feel- 
ings of their parents. If any thing is said to them, 
by way of advice or reproof, they are offended. 
Xow to a youth of this description, religion comes 
with the tenclerest concern for his good, and entreats 
him, first of all, " Do thyself no harm." Be not in 
haste to disregard the instructions and advice of 
parents, and to throw off parental restraint. There 
is danger here, for there is sin. Bush not into the 
world aiddv and self-willed, flushed with the idea 
of your own wisdom and sufficiency to direct your 
course, and thinking: it innocent and safe to &o in 
the way of the multitude, and to do whatever is 
pleasing in the sight of your eyes, or agreeable to 
the inclinations of your own heart. " Obey your 
parents in the Lord, for this is right.'' Injure not 
yourself by disregarding the wholesome advice of 
those to whom years, exjDerience and grace give wis- 



EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 235 

dorn, who see your danger, and desire and seek your 
welfare. By following their counsel it may be well 
with you; whereas rejection of it may overwhelm 
you in infamy and ruin. Involve not yourself in the 
doom of him, " who mocketh at his father and scorn- 
eth to obey his mother. 1 ' Deprive not yourself of 
that Divine favor, which will rest on him who honors 
his father and his mother, according to the command- 
ment. Exclude not yourself from the good which 
will come to those who remember their Creator in 
the days of their youth, who " seek first the king- 
dom of God and his righteousness." Do not wrong 
your own soul by depriving it of the blessedness of 
those who obey the voice of heavenly wisdom, and 
walk in her delightful paths. 

Religion seeks to prevent men, in all circum- 
stances, from wronging themselves by continuing in 
sin. The aged, it entreats not to harm themselves, 
by delaying repentance and reconciliation to God 
till the remaining sands of life shall have run out. 
To those who are opposed to Divine truth, the doc- 
trines of the Gospel, and those who preach and de- 
fend them, and hence withdraw from the sanctuary, 
who are opposed to the revival of religion and the 
prevalence of Gospel principles, opposed to the cause 
of Christ, to all such religion cries with loud voice, 
Do yourselves no harm. Take care what you do. 



236 BENEVOLENCE OF THE DIVINE 

Resist not the grand means of sanctification and sal- 
vation which God has appointed. Ruin not your- 
selves by maintaining the position, and involving 
yourselves in the guilt of those who will be found 
fighting against God. Remember that " Whosoever 
shall fall upon this stone shall be broken ; but on 
whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to pow- 
der." " Serve the Lord with fear." " Kiss the Son, 
lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when 
his wrath is kindled but a little." 

In short, the religion of the Gospel says to all 
the impenitent, of whatever age or condition, Harm 
not yourselves by refusing or delaying repentance. 
Fasten not upon yourselves the fearful doom of those 
who believe not in Christ, and obey not the Gospel : 
die not in your sins ; and be not driven away in 
your wickedness, to be " punished with everlasting 
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from 
the glory of his power." If you harm not your- 
selves, no man can harm you. Yield, therefore, to 
the calls of heavenly wisdom, and walk in her paths. 

" Believe ; and take the promised rest : 
Obey ; and be for ever blest." 

This the spirit of Christianity seeks. It is 
breathed out in prayer, even for enemies. " Father, 
forgive them, for they know not what they do," was 



EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 287 

the prayer of the benevolent Saviour for his cruci- 
fiers. " Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," pray- 
ed the martyr, Stephen, with his dying breath, for 
his murderers. This spirit was exemplified in the 
conduct of the Apostles. They spent their lives in 
labors to prevent men from fatally injuring them- 
selves. It is exemplified in the lives of all true 
Christians still. They pray and labor to prevent 
sinners from wronging and ruining their own souls. 
This is the spirit which prompts and invigorates the 
missionary enterprise. It carries Bibles to the des- 
titute. It sends heralds of salvation to heathen 
lands, to entreat them not to wrong and ruin their 
souls by worshipping gods of wood and stone, but 
to love and serve the living God, to embrace and 
follow Christ, and thus secure eternal life. Chris- 
tianity seeks not the injury of any, but the highest 
good of all, for time and eternity. They who hate 
it, hate it, as they do its Author, without cause. 
They who resist it, know not what they do. Let 
this spirit be received and obeyed, and men univer- 
sally, the old and the young, will do themselves no 
harm, but will seek and secure the highest good for 
themselves and for others, in this world, and in 
eternity. 

Religion, then, is not an enemy to human happi- 
ness. It is the unflinching, unchanging friend of 



238 DIVINE EXPOSTULATIONS WITH SINNERS. 

man. It is the friend of its enemies. It is a better 
friend to man, infinitely, than he is to himself. Man 
is bent on his own harm, and will certainly accom- 
plish his own eternal ruin if religion do not prevent. 
Eeligion comes to him, uncalled, and entreats him 
to forbear. If he listens, and obeys her voice, it is 
well He is saved from ruin. 



SERMON IV. 

THE SACREDNESS OF A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 
EOCLESIASTES, V. 1.* 

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God. 

The allusion, in this figurative language, is to an 
individual walking in slippery places, where the ut- 
most care is necessary respecting his steps, lest he 
should slide and fall, to his injury or destruction. 

The passage teaches, that in going into the sanc- 
tuary, more than ordinary circumspection is neces- 
sary. Men should guard their thoughts and hearts 
with great vigilance and seriousness, lest they let 
slip the things they hear, or offer a sacrifice, or de- 
velope a character, there, which shall be offensive to 
God, and dangerous to the soul. As it is with the 
mind and heart that men converse and walk with God, 
these should be kept with due vigilance and care 
whenever we engage in his worship. When men go 



210 THE SACREDNESS OF 

into the sanctuary, they should, in an especial man- 
ner, make straight steps ; — should see that their 
thoughts are fixed on proper objects; — that their 
hearts are purified from the love of self and sin ; — 
that their desires are holy and their aims single ; 
lest they be found offering the sacrifice of fools, 
which will be rejected as offensive to God, and ruin- 
ous to the soul. 

It will not be inappropriate to the present occa- 
sion, to contemplate the considerations, which show, 
that the sanctuary is a sacred place, and that a 
solemn responsibility rests upon men who attend 
upon its appropriate services. 

I. This is evident from the simple consideration 
that it is a place devoted to the %oorsliip and honor of 
JeJwvaJi. It is the place where the worship and 
ordinances of God are to be publicly observed ; and 
this according to his own appointment. For the 
promotion of his worship, and the honor of his own 
name, he appointed the building of the tabernacle 
and the temple, and after the temple had been de- 
stroyed by the Chaldeans, and Israel had returned 
from their captivity, God reproved them for de- 
laying to rebuild the tenrple ; and directed them to 
arise and build the house, without delay, that his 
worship might be maintained. " Is it time for you, 
O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house 



A HOUSE OF WOESHIP. 241 

lie waste ? Thus saith the Lord — consider your 
ways. Go up to the mountain and bring wood and 
build the house, and I will take pleasure in it, and I 
will be glorified, saith the Lord." 

The house of God is, then, the place where God 
is to be more especially and publicly worshipped, 
and his ordinances dispensed; and, in this view, is 
a sacred place. This alone is a reason, why they, 
who go into the sanctuary, should keep their minds 
and hearts with great vigilance and care. 

II. We arrive at the same view, from the con- 
sideration, that it is the place where the commands 
and messages of God are more especially dispensed 
to men. The sanctuary of the Lord is not the place 
in which men are to exhibit their own fancies, specu- 
lations and inventions, or doctrines at variance with 
the Gospel. It was never designed for such pur- 
poses. If an edifice is erected to be used for these 
ends, it is not worthy to be called the house of God ; 
and its dedication to him would be but solemn 
mockery. Its tendency would be to dishonor God, 
subvert the Gospel, and lead souls to ruin. 

The sanctuary is the Divinely appointed place 
for exhibiting to man the declarations and instruc- 
tions of the great Jehovah ; for inculcating those* 
revealed doctrines of his Word, which disclose the 
perfection, the worthiness, the claims, and the will 



24:2 THE SACKEDNESS OF 

of God ; which make known the character and state, 
the duty and safety of fallen man, as a sinner against 
God, guilty and condemned to endless death ; which 
call him to repentance and the abandonment of sin ; 
which direct him to the atoning Lamb, the Lord 
our righteousness, as the only name given under 
heaven among men whereby he can be saved; — 
doctrines, which disclose the riches of the Divine 
wisdom and mercy in the wonderful method of sal- 
vation by the incarnation and atoning sufferings of 
God the Son, who has purchased eternal redemp- 
tion. It is the place appointed for exhibiting the 
principles and precepts, the invitations, offers, prom- 
ises, warnings and threatenings of the Gospel; — 
truths proclaiming that it shall be well with the 
righteous, and ill with the sinner ; — truths designed 
and adapted to instruct the mind, convince the con- 
science, transform the soul, and make man a new 
creature. These truths, though by carnal minds 
derided, and denominated foolishness, are yet de- 
clared and proved to be " the power of God unto sal- 
vation to every one that believeth ; to the Jew first 
and also to the Greek." 

That the sanctuary is the place where are to be 
« exhibited the messages of God, and not the inven- 
tions of man, is plain from the Divine direction to 
him who is appointed to minister in the house of 



A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 243 

God. " Son of man, I have set thee a watchman 
unto the house of Israel. Therefore thou shalt hear 
the Word at my mouth, and shalt give them warn- 
ing from me/' " Speak unto them all that I com- 
mand thee. Diminish not a word. Be not afraid 
of their faces, lest I confound thee before them." 

The true ministers of the Gospel are ambassa- 
dors for Christ, sent, not to detail their own fancies 
and speculations, but to declare the messages of 
their Lord; to preach the unsearchable riches of 
Christ ; to labor, not to please men, but to convince 
them of sin, and persuade them to be reconciled to 
God. They are appointed to watch for souls, as 
they that must give account ; they are stewards of 
the mysteries of God. The command of Christ is : 
" Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel 
to every creature. He that believeth, and is bap- 
tized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, 
shall be damned." 

The man of God is to study to show himself 
" approved of God, a workman that needeth not to 
be ashamed ; rightly dividing the word of truth." 
Hence an apostle, in discharging his high commis- 
sion, determined not to know, or make known, any 
thing, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. He la- 
bored indefatigably to win souls to Christ. He 
warned them, night and day, with tears. " Know- 



244 THE SACREDNESS OF 

ing the terror of the Lord," he says, " we persuade 
men." " Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as 
though God did beseech you by us, we pray you, in 
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." Surely 
the Scriptures show that the house of God is de- 
signed to be sacred to the exhibition of Divine 
truth; the Gospel of Christ; the messages of God 
to guilty men. It is not wonderful, therefore, that 
it should be enjoined on men, in going to the house 
of God, to take heed to their steps, to keep, with 
great vigilance and care, their minds and hearts; 
to take heed not only how, but what they hear. 

III. The house of God is the place ichere God 
meets his people, receives their worship, hears their 
prayers, communicates with, and blesses them. So it 
was in ancient times. In the tabernacle, and in the 
temple, God gave visible tokens of his presence. 
There he was known to be accessible to his people, 
when help was needed. When his' people resorted 
to the sanctuary to seek God, they expected to meet 
him there. And there they did meet him, and ex- 
perience his presence and aid. Of this, the Psalmist 
had rich experience. Hence, in praying for one in 
trouble, he said : " The Lord send thee help from 
the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion." 
And, when banished a while from the sanctuary, his 
heart panted after God. "My soul thirsteth for 



A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 245 

thee, to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have 
seen thee in the sanctuary." On account of his 
happy experience of the Divine presence in the 
sanctuary, he thus expresses his ardent attachment 
to the place : " One thing have I desired of the 
Lord : that will I seek after ; that I may dwell in 
the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to be- 
hold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his 
temple." 

And, though under the Gospel dispensation, 
there is less of the visible in religion than anciently, 
yefc there is no less of reality ; and we have no less 
assurance now than had the ancient church, that 
God is present with his people still, and fills his 
sanctuary with his glory. Still, when his people 
resort to him aright, in the place where his honor 
dwelleth, they will find gracious answers to their 
prayers, comforting manifestations of his presence, 
and all needed help. Where is Jehovah's dwelling 
on earth ; where is the place of his honor, if not in 
the sanctuary? — the place where he is publicly ac- 
knowledged and worshipped ; where his own bles- 
sed truth and Gospel are dispensed ; where his own 
ordinances are administered ; where his covenant is 
entered into, and its engagements sealed ; and where 
the united prayers and praises of his covenant people 
are offered ? There, still, his presence dwells ; , there, 

17 



246 THE SACREDNESS OF 

still, his people may expect to meet him ; there, still, 
they do find him ; there the tokens of his presence 
are often felt, and always, when they are sought 
aright. Often, the mental eye of his people sees his 
glory in the sanctuary. Nay, often, the effects of 
his presence are visible to the eye of sense. 

Often, the power of the Holy Spirit is mani- 
fest in the house of prayer, accompanying Divine 
truth to the conscience ; moving upon the minds of 
men ; convincing them of sin ; producing contrition ; 
subduing and transforming their hearts; bringing 
them out of darkness into light, from death unto 
life ; and putting a new song into their mouth, even 
praise unto God. Often are his people greatly re- 
freshed and comforted, and strengthened for their 
warfare, while waiting upon God in his house. 

And is not that a sacred place where God deigns 
to dwell, meet his people, receive their worship, 
hear their prayers, accept their praises, commune 
with their spirits, and refresh their souls ; thus giv- 
ing them strength for their journey ? and where he 
translates souls from death to life ? Then it con- 
cerns men to take heed to their thoughts and their 
hearts when they go to the house of God. 

IV. The sacredness of the house of God, and 
the responsibility of those who resort to it, are fur- 
ther obvious from the consideration that the place is 



A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 247 

peculiarly under the inspection of the hofo/, hecvrt- 
searching God. The eyes of the Lord are indeed in 
every place, beholding the evil and the good. But, 
with a more special scrutiny, does he inspect the 
place where his honor dwells ; where he makes his 
gracious overtures to men ; and where they profess 
to worship him and take his covenant into their 
mouth. He indeed takes notice of those who neg- 
lect the sanctuary, and do not frequent the house of 
God ; and he takes notice also of the reasons why 
they do not ; and will bring every work of theirs 
into judgment. But no less vigilantly does he take 
cognizance of those who resort to his house. He 
takes particular cognizance of those who go into his 
house as ambassadors, spiritual guides. He notices 
with what views and motives they have assumed 
the holy office and entered on their work ; — whether 
from love of truth, or love of something which is at 
variance with the truth ; whether they are seeking 
the glory of God, the advancement of truth and 
holiness, and the sanctification and salvation of men, 
or a private interest ; whether they strive to obey 
and please God, or labor to please men. He notices 
whether they preach the truth, or their own inven- 
tions ; with what motives they labor, and what ends 
they seek ; and he will bring all into judgment, and 
reward them accordingly. He takes notice, also, of 



248 THE SACREDNESS OF 

those who go to his house as hearers ; with what 
motives they are influenced in going, and how they 
demean themselves in the house of God ; whether 
they are light, and frivolous and vain, or serious, 
attentive and devout ; whether they are merely for- 
mal worshippers, or worship him in spirit and in 
truth. If Divine truth is exhibited, he notices who 
are pleased with it, and receive it in love ; and who 
are displeased, and reject it. If doctrines are ex- 
hibited which are at variance with the true Gospel 
of Christ, he sees who are pleased with the exhibi- 
tion, and whose hearts are made sad. He notices, 
and with approbation too, all the holy motives, sin- 
cere aims, pious desires, secret tears and fervent 
prayers of his true children and worshippers ; and will 
remember them for good. And he notices also, with 
displeasure, all the heartlessness and hypocrisy of 
the pretended worshipper ; of those who have not 
the love of God in them; and he will record it 
against them. Hear his own declaration : " And all 
the churches shall know that I am he which search- 
eth the reins and hearts ; and I will give unto every 
one of you according to your works." And now is 
that eye, which pierces through all disguises, directly 
and emphatically fixed upon every soul that enters 
the house of God, scanning all his emotions, with a 
view to the judgment ; surely then, it concerns him 



A HOUSE OF WOESHIP. 249 

who enters there, either as preacher or hearer, to 
keep his mind and heart with great vigilance and 
care ; for it is a place of awful responsibility. " All 
things are naked and open unto the eyes of him 
with whom we have to do." God watches, with a 
jealous eye, the place where his honor dwells; and 
he will hold men accountable for the manner in 
which they treat it, and for their feelings in relation 
to it. " He will bring every work into judgment, 
with every secret thing." 

V. I name one other consideration, showing 
that the sanctuary is a solemn place. It will he a 
savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, to those 
who attend upon it. As it is a place where are 
wielded the grand appointed means of salvation, — 
where the Gospel is preached, — where men are in- 
structed in the things which belong to their peace, 
they either repent and become wise unto salvation, 
or incur the guilt of hearing and rejecting the mes- 
sages of God, the offers of a Saviour ; and thus bring 
upon themselves an aggravated destruction. In such 
circumstances none can remain stationary. They 
grow better, or grow worse, according as they keep 
their hearts and minds, or treat the truths and mes- 
sages of God. If they listen to, receive, and obey 
the messages of God, the holy doctrines of the Gos- 
pel, repent, submit to God, and follow Christ, they 



250 THE SACREDNES3 OF 

develope the character of children of God, and show 
that they are becoming meet for heaven. If they 
disregard, disobey, and reject the messages of God's 
grace, refuse to repent and submit to Christ, they 
become hardened in sin, augment their guilt, and 
show that they are ripening for an aggravated de- 
struction. To one or the other of these destinies 
are all tending, who enjoy the divinely appointed 
and appropriate privileges of the sanctuary. An 
apostle, alluding to these different results, said : 
" For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in 
them that are saved, and in them that perish. To 
the one we are the savor of death unto death, and 
to the other the savor of life unto life. And who 
is sufficient for these things ? " "Who is sufficient to 
bear such responsibility, to dispense truths and bear 
privileges to men, which will have such a bearing 
upon their eternal destinies, according as they treat 
them now ? Surely it concerns them, who preach 
or hear the Gospel, who tread the courts of the 
Lord, or have opportunity to do it, to guard well 
their steps, to take heed to their thoughts and hearts. 
The place is rendered solemn in consideration of the 
momentous results which will follow from atteuding 
upon its privileges. When these are properly re- 
ceived, they will save the soul. When they are 
abused, they render eternal death far more deadly. 



A HOUSE OF WOKSHIP. 251 

This Christ himself teaches: "It shall be more 
tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of 
judgment, than for you." 

Such, then, being the sanctuary of God, there 
are good reasons why, in going to it, we should be 
cautious to keep our steps. It is a place sacred to 
the worship and honor of Jehovah ; a place where 
his truths and messages are especially dispensed to 
men ; where he meets, communes with, and blesses 
his people ; the place which is emphatically under 
his constant inspection, and which has an immense 
bearing, for good or ill, upon the eternal destinies 
of men. Men should take heed to their steps, 
whether they enter this sacred place as professed 
ambassadors of the Lord, or as hearers of the Word ; 
lest the former be found exhibiting their own specu- 
lations and inventions for the truth of God, offering 
strange fire upon the altar of the Lord, deceiving 
souls to their ruin, involving themselves in the awful 
guilt and curse of betraying their sacred trust ; — or 
the latter, while pretending to be the worshippers 
of the Lord, be seen, by the Searcher of hearts, to 
be destitute of love to him, and influenced by un- 
worthy motives, and be found offering the sacrifice 
of fools, which will be neither acceptable to God, 
nor profitable to themselves. 

Several reflections are suggested by this subject. 



252 THE SACREDNESS OF 

1. We learn, that to build the house of God 
and give attendance at the sanctuary, merely, is not 
sufficient to secure the approbation of heaven, or the 
salvation of the soul. Men may do this, and yet 
withhold their hearts. They may go to the house 
of God from very unworthy motives. It may be to 
gratify curiosity, to hear some display of human elo- 
quence, to witness some rhetorical nourish, to listen 
to some moving appeal to the passions. Or it may 
be, perhaps, to hear the holy, humbling, transform- 
ing doctrines of the Gospel cried down, mutilated or 
explained away ; and to listen to something, in their 
stead, more congenial to the natural heart — doctrines, 
which quiet anxiety about the future, which deny 
the necessity of a painful conviction of sin, and of 
repentance, of regeneration, and earnest striving to 
enter into life. Or, they may do it to pacify con- 
science, thinking that the giving of their attendance 
upon the services of the sanctuary will amount to a 
righteousness which will procure acceptance with 
God and the salvation of their souls ; though they 
withhold from God their hearts. But more than 
this, we are shown, is requisite to secure acceptance 
with God and eternal life. "We must wait upon 
God in his house with proper feelings and motives, 
with an eye to his glory, with delight in his wor- 
ship, with faith in his declarations, and a reliance on 



A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 253 

Christ ; with a desire to hear, receive, and obey his 
truth, and be conformed to his will. We must obey 
the Gospel, and become the true, spiritual worship- 
pers of God, if we would secure his favor and obtain 
eternal life. 

2. What cause have we for thankfulness and 
praise that the holy Sovereign of the universe deigns 
to have a dwelling-place on earth. That the incom- 
prehensible God, who is so devoutly adored by the 
glorious hosts of heaven, should condescend to ac- 
cept, and fix an abode among the sinful children of 
men, where he may be met and worshipped ; where 
his presence may be enjoyed, and his grace and help 
obtained. From this interesting fact we derive our 
encouragement, and from it results our duty to build 
the house of God, and consecrate it to him, and there 
to meet him, and there wait on him as a present 
God, as a covenant God, reconciled in Christ to 
them who believe. A belief of this fact has led to 
the recent changes in this house of worship, by which 
it is rendered more commodious, comfortable and 
pleasant, with the understanding that it is to be ap- 
propriated exclusively to the worship of God and 
the purposes of religion ; and, through the Divine 
blessing on the efforts made, the building is so far 
completed as to be ready to be consecrated to him, 
in honor of whom it has been erected. 



254 THE SACBEDNESS OF 

" But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? Be- 
hold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot con- 
tain thee, how much less this house that I have 
built." Yes, God deigns to dwell on earth, and ac- 
cept the abode prepared, in accordance with his 
direction, for the honor of his name. Then let us 
bring and offer this house to him, which has been 
erected for the honor of his worship. Long have 
we experienced inconvenience from want of a stated, 
commodious, comfortable place of worship. And 
having provided this, let us give it up to him in 
hope that he will accept it, and deign to dwell in it, 
and make it the birth-place of many souls. We 
know not its destiny, nor how it may affect the des- 
tinies of men. It may be destroyed : it may be de- 
filed and perverted. Instead of being the gate of 
heaven, it may become a broad highway to perdi- 
tion. "We cannot keep it. We shall not live to 
guard it. We would, then, commend it to him who 
is able to preserve it, and make it the birth-place of 
souls for many generations. 

And now, my brethren, we are here, before 
God, for a solemn, joyful purpose. Not only are 
angels witnesses to our doings ; but the eye of him, 
who searches the reins and the heart, is upon us. 
He requires more than an external offering. Let us 
then, first, renew the consecration of ourselves and 



A HOUSE OF WOESHIP. 255 

our children to him ; and remembering that if we 
regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear, 
let us banish every improper feeling from our breasts, 
and with united hearts and prayers, consecrate this 
house to God. 

Eternal Jehovah ! Possessor of the universe, 
who hast a glorious residence in the heaven of heav- 
ens, thou hast no need of earthly temples ; but we 
have need of them, and we need thy presence in 
them. This house built with hands, for thy worship 
and honor, we now bring, and dedicate to thee. 

God, the Son ! Atoning Lamb ! Saviour of the 
lost ! we dedicate it to thee. 

Spirit of holiness! Sanctifier of the soul! we 
devote this house to thee. 

Adorable Trinity ! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ! 
to thee we consecrate this pulpit. May it never be 
desecrated by the inculcation of instructions which 
shall cause men to err from the right ways of the 
Lord. May it ever be sacred to the exhibition of 
those holy, unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel, 
which are mighty, through thy power, to transform 
and save the soul. 

To thee we consecrate this sacramental altar. 
Let it be a place where the gracious Redeemer will 
ever meet, commune with, forgive, refresh, and bless 
his believing friends, whenever they shall seek him 
here. 



256 THE SACREDNESS OF 

To thee we consecrate these seats. May they 
be filled with those who shall reverence thy name, 
heed thy truth, and by it become spiritual worship- 
pers, and thus wise unto salvation, through faith in 
Christ Jesus. 

That orchestra we dedicate to thee. There may 
the performers of sacred song offer acceptable melo- 
dy to God, and become prepared, in long succession, 
to sing thy praise in nobler strains in the bright 
world above. 

The vestry below, these walls, this whole edifice, 
so far as pertains to a place of worship, God of Re- 
demption! we devote to thee. To thee, to thy 
worship and honor, to the dispensation of thine own 
blessed truth and ordinances, we solemnly dedicate 
this temple, made with hands. 

" O Thou, that dwellest between the cherubims, 
shine forth." Accept, we beseech thee, this offering 
at our hands. Here let thy presence dwell, thy 
power be manifested, thy name be glorious. Here 
may thy favor and the blessing of thy grace be ac- 
ceptably sought, and largely partaken by us in our 
earthly pilgrimage. Here may our children, and 
children's children, down to distant generations, be 
taught the whole character and counsel of God, be 
emancipated from sin, and made meet for heaven. 

Lamb of God ! Saviour of sinners ! Author of 



A HOUSE OF WOKSHIP. 257 

eternal redemption for all who obey thee ! here let 
thy atoning blood be effectually applied for the re- 
demption and forgiveness of many a lost and perish- 
ing sinner. 

Spirit of grace ! let thy presence and power be 
gloriously visible here, in wielding the truth, which 
is thy own sword, convincing the consciences, sub- 
duing the hearts, and transforming the souls of un- 
numbered multitudes, and in sanctifying them for 
heaven. 

God of our salvation ! may we of this dying as- 
sembly, and they who shall come after us, be so 
beneficially affected, and effectually blest by thy 
residence in thine earthly courts, that after we shall 
have passed off, in successive generations, from this 
stage of action ; after earthly temples shall be de- 
molished, and the earth itself shall be dissolved ; we 
may be gathered into thy glorious temple above, 
prepared to join the bright and blessed hosts of 
heaven in rendering nobler worship, adoration and 
praise to Father, Son, and Holy Grhost, through end- 
less ages. Amen. 



SERMON V. 

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING GOD AND MAMMON. 

Mat. vi. 24. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 

Mammon is a Syriac word, which signifies gain. It 
more especially denotes riches. But it may denote 
whatever else of a worldly nature we consider gain 
to us ; as honors, preferments, worldly applause, plea- 
sures, ease, the indulgence of the appetites ; all ob- 
jects of a worldly nature, as the lust of the flesh, the 
lust of the eye, and pride of life. These are mam- 
mon. To seek any of these objects, as one's chief 
good, is to serve mammon. The word appears to 
be used as the name of an idol. So we find the 
covetous, the inordinate lover of riches denominated 
an idolater. He is a devotee of mammon. These 
objects are here personified under this name, and 
represented as the master which some men serve. 
It is extremely obvious that many regard mammon, 
in some of its forms, as their chief good, and seek 



IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING GOD AND MAMMON. 259 

it as constituting their chief enjoyment. They de- 
vote to mammon their minds and hearts and hands. 
But the Saviour here shows us, that they who do so 
are not the servants of God. 

" No man can serve two masters. For either 
he will hate the one and love the other, or else he 
will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye 
cannot serve God and mammon? We have here a 
position strongly asserted. The Saviour does not say 
ye should not, but ye cannot, serve God and mam- 
mon. Two or three considerations will demonstrate 
the truth of this position. 

1. These masters prefer opposite claims. A ser- 
vant may follow two masters, as long as they keep 
together. But if they part, and proceed in opposite 
directions, he can follow but one of them. God and 
mammon have claims so opposite, that no one can 
yield obedience to both. God claims the heart. 
He requires that men fix their affections on him, and 
regard him as their Supreme Good. Mammon also, 
claims the heart. He requires that his servants should 
place their affections on him, regard him as their 
chief good. God requires that men should lay up 
their treasure in heaven ; seek the things which are 
above. Mammon says, No, lay up your treasure on 
earth ; seek the things which are below ; the things 
of the world. God demands that our minds and our 



260 IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING 

hands, our time and attention, be all employed in 
subserviency to him and his glory. Mammon de- 
mands that these all be devoted to him. 

God commands us to deny ourselves and mortify 
our perverse carnal inclinations. But mammon says, 
No, gratify these inclinations. Walk in the sight 
of your eyes, follow the desires of your own hearts. 
Do the things you wish. 

God directs us to moderate our wishes, and be 
content with such things as we have. But the di- 
rection of mammon is, Grasp at all you see. Strive 
for all you crave. God directs us to maintain hon- 
esty, sobriety and integrity at all times. Mammon 
says, Be not over scrupulous in respect to these 
things ; especially if they are in your way. If you 
can accomplish your purpose better, dispense with 
them. At any rate accomplish your object. 

God commands us to observe the Sabbath day 
and keep it holy. But mammon says, Be not par- 
ticular. We read, the Sabbath was made for man. 
Make it subservient to your own ease, convenience, 
or worldly interest. The Divine directions are, 
" Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous- 
ness." " Now is the accepted time." " Choose you 
this day whom ye will serve." " Acquaint now thy- 
self with him, and be at peace." But the sugges- 
tions of mammon are, Seek first the world. Secure 



GOD AND MAMMON". 261 

a temporal good. And to religion it says, when 
pressing its claims for attention, " Go thy way for 
this time, when I have a convenient season I will 
call for thee." The Divine direction is, honor the 
Lord with thy substance; impart a portion for 
the support and spread of the gospel, and Christian 
institutions, and for benevolent and charitable pur- 
poses. But mammon says, keep what you have ; get 
what you can ; lay up. Waste nothing by giving 
for the spread of the gospel. Throw nothing away 
for such a purpose. " To what purpose is this waste ? n 

God requires us to live to him, to seek his inter- 
est and glory in all we do. No, mammon says, seek 
your own honor and interest, ease and pleasure ; live 
to yourselves. You are your own. 

Thus these two masters make such opposite 
claims, that no one can yield to both. Whoever 
obeys the will of God, and is devoted to his service,, 
will, and must run counter to the claims and princi- 
ples of mammon ; and whoever devotes himself to 
mammon — seeks, as his chief good, these worldly 
things and that gratification of self — does, and must 
run counter to the commands of God; and refuses- 
his claims. 

No man can serve God and mammon, because, 

2. Both cannot he served with the same class of 
feelings, with the same character. The feelings and 

18 



262 IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING 

character necessary to serve the one are in opposition 
to the feelings and character requisite to serve the 
other. As God is a holy Being, to serve him, one 
must have holy affections and dispositions ; must be 
spiritually minded ; must possess a holy character. 
He must love prayer and communion with God ; 
and love the diligent performance of the holy duties 
of religion. Now these holy spiritual affections and 
feelings are not possessed by the devotee of mammon. 
He is not inured to prayer and communion with 
God, nor accustomed to practise the self-denying, 
holy course of conduct which God requires, because 
he loves it. His feelings are selfish, sensual, worldly. 
He is carnally minded, and is devoted to the things 
of the flesh. Hence he is not prepared to serve a 
holy God ; and cannot be, while serving mammon, 
an object so opposite in its nature. So it was said 
to Israel, when they had fallen into the practice of 
idolatry, " Ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is an 
holy God." They could not serve him with their 
idolatrous hearts and wicked hands. They must 
cleanse themselves from sin ; — must abandon, with 
hatred, the service of idols, before they could serve 
a holy God. So on the other hand, as mammon is 
an unholy object, as it requires and enlists unholy 
affections only, and feelings which are carnal, and 
selfish, and worldly, the holy servants of God are 



GOD AND MAMMON. 263 

not prepared to serve in his cause. They have not 
the qualifications requisite to be the devoted ser- 
vants of mammon, an object so opposite in its nature 
to the God whom they love. 

To serve mammon in the sense of the text, sup- 
poses a love for these carnal, worldly objects, which 
will lead one to regard them as his chief good ; — the 
source of his highest enjoyment. Such an one is 
therefore disqualified for the enjoyment of God, as 
he has no love for holy objects. The character of 
God, and all those things which God requires, will 
then be repugnant to his feelings. So the devoted 
servant of God, finding his chief delight in the ob- 
ject he serves, and in the course he pursues, is dis- 
qualified for enjoying the opposite course, the things 
of mammon. To these things his feelings are averse. 
These two objects must have, each, followers like it- 
self. And as they are opposite in their character, 
so their followers must be opposite in theirs ; so 
opposite that both cannot serve the same object ; 
and no more can one serve both objects. He will 
either love the one, and hate the other ; or else he 
will hold to the one and despise the other. " Ye 
cannot serve God and mammon." But, 

3. The position is confirmed by other Scriptures, 
It is according to the tenor of Scripture, that car 
nal, worldly minded, selfish men, are not the servant: 



264 IMPOSSIBILITY OF SEKVING 

of God ; and that before they can serve God ac- 
ceptably, they must renounce carnal objects and an 
unholy course of conduct, which is, to renounce the 
service of mammon. It is obvious that among those 
who serve mammon, in the sense of the text, are 
they who love the world supremely. Such, the 
apostle teaches, are not the servants of God. " If 
any man love the world, the love of the Father is 
not in him." 

" For all that is in the world — the lust of the 
flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not 
of the Father, but is of the world." " And the world 
passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth 
the will of God abideth for ever." Here we are 
shown that he that doeth the will of God, and he 
that loves the world, are opposite characters, — are 
not serving the same master. It is no less obvious, 
that to serve mammon is to be carnally minded, 
and to mind the things of the flesh. But it is writ- 
ten, " They that are in the flesh cannot please God." 
" The carnal mind is enmity against God ; is not 
subject to his law, neither indeed can be." What 
can be plainer than this, that no carnal, worldly-mind- 
ed man can serve God acceptably ? If the Scrip- 
tures are to control our convictions, we must regard 
it as for ever settled, that before a man can serve a 
holy God, he must abandon his present feelings and 
course, and become a new man. 



GOD AND MAMMON. 265 

4. Do not facts illustrate and confirm this senti- 
ment ? 

Look at your neighbor, or at that man, whoever 
he may be, who is serving mammon ; pursuing the 
gratification of his sensual nature ; manifestly de- 
voted to the world as his chief good ; regarding it 
as the source of his highest enjoyment; — and what 
is your conviction % Is he prepared to serve God ? 
Does he manifest any feelings which are in unison 
with the holy service of God ? Is he prepared, think 
you, to find delight in prayer and meditation, and 
in the self-denying, holy duties, which God requires ? 
Does he take pleasure in the religious duties of the 
closet, the family, and the sanctuary ? Does he find 
time and disposition to observe them punctually ? 
Is he ready to aid the cause of Christ and the gos- 
pel by his efforts and substance ? Or rather, is it 
not too apparent that the feelings of his heart are 
averse to all these objects; that he is far from being 
prepared to yield to the claims of Jehovah % Does 
he not manifest, that with the feelings he now has, 
and the course he is now pursuing, he cannot engage 
in or enjoy the spiritual service of God; and that 
he cannot serve God so long as he is devoted to an 
object so contrary to God in its nature and claims, 
as that which he is supremely seeking ? And does 
not the assertion of the Savionr here receive con- 



266 IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING 

firmation, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." 
True, a servant of God may possess wealth, and seek 
it, and value it, innocently. For lie may make it 
subservient to the cause of Christ. He may employ 
it in doing good. He may, as all are required to 
do, use the world, as not abusing it ; but he cannot 
make religion, or the service of God, subservient to 
the cause of the world, and yet be a servant of the 
Lord ; he cannot serve God and mammon. 

From this subject we may infer, 

I. That they, who are not the true servants of 
God, are his enemies. God and mammon, or Christ 
and the world, constitute the two grand interests 
which enlist all men. And as none can serve both, 
he that is not on the Lord's side, a true servant of 
God, is a devotee of the world, a servant of mam- 
mon. He is serving that interest which is opposed 
to God ; of course is an enemy of God. The case 
admits of no neutrality. As these interests are op- 
posed to each other, he that is found in the interest of 
mammon, is opposed to God. As Christ has said, 
" He that is not with me is against me, and he that 
gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad." The 
thought is alarming, but cannot be evaded. Many, 
doubtless, are reluctant to admit it. They will ad- 
mit that they are not the true servants of God, and 
disciples of Christ ; but are slow to admit that they 



GOD AND MAMMON". 267 

can be enemies. They claim a neutral standing. 
But this claim they must relinquish ; as no neutral 
character is admitted by our subject, no such is ad- 
mitted by Christ. O think of this. Are you then 
an enemy of God ? Surely you are, if you are not 
his cordial friend and servant. And have you con- 
sidered your position ? Are you duly aware of the 
stand you have taken ? An enemy of the infinite 
God, who can crush a thousand worlds to atoms 
in a moment, and blot out the universe at once f 
And do you think of maintaining yourself in this 
position? O tremble for the result. Think how 
unequal the contest. Tremble and submit, lest his 
strong arm crush and ruin you for ever. O aban- 
don your ground, without delay. Throw down the 
weapons of your rebellion, and fly to the atoning 
Lamb for pardon and safety. 

II. The servants of God, and the servants of the 
world, are going to eternity with very different pros- 
pects. The courses they are pursuing are so opposite, 
that they must lead to very different results. The 
feelings and course of conduct to which mammon 
inures his followers, are such as utterly to unfit 
them to mingle with the servants of God in the 
coming world ; and must effectually disqualify them 
for participating in the same employments and en- 
joyments. 



268 IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING 

The children of God, by serving a holy Being, 
become conformed to the Divine will, and prepared 
for the society and bliss of heaven. Their course 
not only includes the conditions of life, but at every 
step is furthering their preparation for the holy ser- 
vice and enjoyments of the heavenly state. Where- 
as the course pursued by the votaries of mammon, 
not only excludes a compliance with the conditions 
of pardon ; not only accumulates a fearful mass of 
guilt, but is leading the soul farther and farther 
from God, — strengthening impenitence and love of 
siiij a disrelish for holy objects, and a relish for car- 
nal things ; inuring the soul to the practice of sin, 
and disqualifying it more and more, at every step, 
for the service or the enjoyment of a holy heaven. 

Now, can it be, that men, whose character and 
conduct are so opposite in this life, are destined to 
the same state hereafter ? No, it cannot be. Tt is 
impossible. Reason teaches that it cannot be ; — but 
that they who are so opposite in their character, 
must be consigned to different conditions in the 
world to come. They cannot enjoy the same con- 
dition. The objects and employments which will 
give delight to one class, would give pain to the 
other. Reason teaches that they must be separated, 
and placed in conditions as widely different, as their 
characters are opposite. It is clear to the eye of 



GOD AND MAMMON. 269 

reason, that the course which the true servant of 
God pursues, the character he possesses, and the 
feelings which he cherishes, will qualify him for the 
enjoyment of God hereafter. This is the object he 
supremely seeks. And this object, the Scriptures 
assure us, he will obtain. And it is equally clear, 
that the course, the character and feelings of the 
servant of mammon, do unfit him for the enjoyment 
of God and heaven. These are not the objects he 
is seeking. Then, will not reason say, that to a 
holy heaven he cannot be admitted? and that if 
admitted there he could not be happy ? Hence, it 
will not be unjust, nor unreasonable, for Christ, in 
the day of reckoning, to separate them from the 
servants of God, and appoint them to regions of 
darkness and woe, where there is weeping and 
gnashing of teeth. It will be but giving them the 
fruit of their doings. They sought a perishable por- 
tion, and it fails them : and the consequence, though 
ruinous, is not unjust. As they sowed to the flesh, 
they must, of necessity, reap corruption. Hence, an 
apostle warns men of their danger. " Be not de- 
ceived. God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man 
soweth, that shall he also reap." And the Lord, in 
faithfulness, directs his prophet to sound the alarm. 
" Say ye to the righteous, it shall be well with him, 
for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe 



270 IMPOSSIBILITY OF SERVING 

unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him ; for the 
reward of his hands shall be given him." " And 
these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but 
the righteous, into life eternal." 

III. Finally, my hearers, permit the inquiry, Are 
you serving God, or are you serving mammon ? It 
becomes you to put this inquiry to yourselves. As 
there is no neutrality, it concerns us to know what 
master we are serving, one or the other ; and as God 
and mammon are so opposite in their character and 
claims, and in the rewards they bestow, it concerns 
us, not only to know which master we are serving, 
but to see that we have made the judicious 
choice. And now, do any hesitate in coming to a 
decision respecting the question, to whose service 
they will be permanently devoted ? Is it a matter 
of comparative indifference with any ? Is there no 
ground for choice % And have you no preference ? 
Which master has the most reasonable claims upon 
your service ? Which is the most worthy ? Whose 
service best becomes reasonable and accountable 
beings, the holy service of God, or the carnal 
worship of mammon ? Which will best bear re- 
flection ? Which service will lead to the best re- 
sults ? Which master will bestow the best reward ? 
Whose servants are the most useful and happy in life, 
and composed and tranquil in the hour of death ? 



GOD AND MAMMON. 271 

whose will be safest in the day of judgment ? Whose 
servants will have the best foundation for happiness, 
when this world shall pass away ; when not only 
riches and pleasures, yea, all the objects that consti- 
tute the worldling's god, shall perish; but when 
the world itself shall be dissolved, and the elements 
melt with fervent heat ? Whose servants will have 
the most durable portion ? whose have the anima- 
ting assurance of being admitted to eternal mansions 
of bliss ? and whose, the appalling certainty, that 
the regions of darkness and despair will be their 
everlasting habitation? Draw the comparison. 
Make a due estimate. Count the cost, and choose 
ye whom ye will serve. Make the wise choice. 
Make that choice which will furnish no occasion for 
regret, ages after this world shall be no more ! 



SERMON VI. 

THE DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

Galatiaxs vi. 14. 

Bnt God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

No attentive reader of the epistles of Paul can 
fail to notice the peculiar stress which the apostle 
lays upon the cross of Christ. He mentions it with 
a frequency and an emphasis, which show it to have 
been, not only the grand theme of his preaching, 
but an object of his ardent love, and the only ground 
of his hopes of salvation. " I am not ashamed of 
the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God 
unto salvation, to every one that believeth." u For 
Christ sent me, not to baptize, but to preach the gos- 
pel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ 
should be made of none effect. For the preaching 
of the cross is, to them that perish, foolishness ; but 
unto us which are saved, it is the power of God." 
" For I determined not to know any thing among 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 273 

you, save Jesus Christ, and hint crucified." " God 
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our 
Lord Jesus Christ." While others gloried in their 
conformity to the Mosaic law, and zeal in the ob- 
servance of external rites and religious duties, or in 
their learning, wealth, or accomplishments, he would 
glory only in the cross of Christ. The thought of 
glorying in any thing else was revolting to his feel- 
ings. And yet, if any man might glory in his own 
attainments, surely Paul might. Brought up at the 
feet of Gamaliel, he was versed in all the learning 
of the Jews, and was not unskilled in that of the 
Greeks. Yet, so far from glorying in this, he sought 
rather to avoid a show of learning, while preaching 
the gospel, lest the cross of Christ should be made 
of none effect. 

Every distinction appertaining to the Jews' re- 
ligion, he could pre-eminently claim. " If any other 
man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust 
in the flesh, I more. Circumcised the eighth day ; 
of the stock of Israel ; of the tribe of Benjamin ; 
an Hebrew of the Hebrews ; as touching the law, 
a Pharisee ; concerning zeal, persecuting the church ; 
touching the righteousness which is in the law, 
blameless. But what things were gain to me, those 
I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I 
count all things but loss, for the excellency of the 
knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord." 



274 DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

Many and great were the toils, the privations, 
the perils, the persecutions, and the sufferings to 
which he was subjected, while preaching the gospel. 
These he cheerfully endured, for the sake of Christ. 
" Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my 
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon 
me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in re- 
proaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, 
for Christ's sake." Thus renouncing all trust and 
dependence on those things on which the men of 
the world dote, and of which they boast, the great 
apostle gloried only in the cross of Christ. 

But what is there in the cross of Christ that 
furnishes just ground for glorying ? The phrase is 
used figuratively, to denote the crucifixion of Christ ; 
and it is to be understood, as denoting, beyond 
Christ's death, the effects of his death, and as in- 
cluding the great truths and doctrines involved and* 
implied in the sufferings and death of Christ for 
sinful men. It is then a comprehensive phrase, im- 
porting those great truths and doctrines which ap- 
pertain to the salvation of lost and guilty men, 
through the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, which are able to make men wise unto sal- 
vation. These doctrines relate to the character and 
work of Christ, to the character and state of fallen 
man, the claims of God, and the conditions of salva- 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 275 

tion. These were the truths which Paul exhibited, 
when preaching the cross to Jews and Greeks. 

In the comprehensive docti'ine of the cross is the 
glorious timth, that the Son of God has made, an 
atonement for the sins of the world. 

We are shown in the Scriptures that he is the 
Son of God ; the brightness of his Father's glory, 
and express image of his person ; and he thought it 
not robbery to be equal with God ; that he was the 
eternal Word, who was in the beginning with God, 
and who was God ; that he was made flesh, and 
dwelt among us ; that, having assumed a human na- 
ture in union with his divine, " and being found in 
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became 
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." 
He was sinless ; yet, standing in the place of sin- 
ners, as mediator, under the law which had been 
transgressed by us, he was obnoxious to its penalty, 
our iniquities being laid on him. Hence he fell a 
victim to incensed justice, as our substitute. He 
gave his life a ransom for ours, and thus became 
"the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, 
but also for the sins of the whole world." The 
obedience, sufferings, and death of this adorable 
personage, in the place of man, has magnified the 
law, and made it honorable, and has hence opened 
the way for God to be just, and yet bestow pardon 
and salvation on penitent offenders. 



276 DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

This doctrine of the atonement for the sins of 
men by the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, is the grand pillar, on which Christianity 
rests. Remove this, and the whole fabric falls to 
the ground. Nullify this, and you take away the 
last hope of a guilty, perishing world. Annihilate 
this, and you annihilate the only name under 
heaven, given among men, whereby a sinner can be 
saved. 

Has the Son of God subjected himself to the 
excruciating death of crucifixion to atone for the 
sins of men, and to redeem them from the penalty 
of the violated law ? Then, (mother truth imported 
by the cross is, that mankind are in a state of guilt 
and condemnation. They have destroyed them- 
selves, are in a self-ruined, lost, and perishing condi- 
tion, utterly unable to relieve themselves. If it 
were not so, there would have been no need of the 
cross, no necessity for the incarnation, sufferings, and 
death of the glorious Son of God. So lost were 
they, such was their ruin, we are shown by the cross, 
that no other than a personage of infinite dignity 
and worthiness could atone for their sins ; no other 
than an Almighty Redeemer could ransom them 
from the claims of justice, and deliver them from 
the fearful penalty of the broken law. 

And we further see, in the cross of Christ, as 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 277 

preached by the apostle, that mankind are not mere- 
ly in a state of condemnation, for having transgress- 
ed Jehovah's law once, or in a few instances ; but 
they are in a sinful state, a state of entire moral de- 
pravity, are dead in trespasses and sins, under the 
dominion of the carnal mind, which is enmity against 
God. The plan of salvation through the atonement 
of Christ, is based on the fact that the human race 
is in a state of utter ruin. " Because we thus judge, 
that if one died for all, then were all dead." 

Further, the doctrine of regeneration is also in- 
cluded in the preaching of the cross. 

The great object of Christ's atoning death was 
to rescue men from sin and condemnation, and raise 
them to holiness and eternal life. But as they are 
dead in trespasses and sins, devoid of holiness, they 
must be renewed to holiness, raised to spiritual life 5 
delivered from sin's dominion, or they cannot be 
saved. The necessity of this is taught by the Saviour. 
" Except a man be born again, he cannot see the 
kingdom of God." And the apostle, in preaching 
the cross, taught the same. " They that are in the 
flesh cannot please God." " And you hath he quick- 
ened, who were dead." " We are his workmanship, 
created in Christ Jesus unto good works." " If any 
man be in Christ," interested in his redemption, " he 
is a new creature." " According to his mercy, he 

19 



278 DOCrKINES OF the ckoss. 

saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and re- 
newing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us 
abundantly, through Christ Jesus, the Saviour." 

The doctrine of the cross involves the fact of the 
necessity of repentance. The sinner must hate and 
forsake his sins, or, notwithstanding the atonement 
by Christ's death, he will be excluded from the 
kingdom of God. " Except ye repent, ye shall all 
likewise perish." It includes, also, the doctrine of 
the necessity of faith in Christ. With a sense of 
his lost condition, and a conviction of utter un worthi- 
ness and helplessness, he must give up the soul to 
God, with simple reliance on the merits of Jesus 
Christ. " This is the work of God, that ye believe 
on him whom he hath sent." " He that believeth 
and is baptized, shall be saved ; and he that be- 
lieveth not, shall be damned." 

Another great truth, involved in the doctrine of 
the cross, is that of justification by grace, through 
faith in Christ. That sinful man, who is exposed 
to death eternal, and deserving of it, can, by repent- 
ing and believing, be pardoned and justified before 
God, is a fact, that rests entirely on the atoning suf- 
ferings and meritorious death of Christ. Nothing 
but the atonement of Christ opens the way for the 
sinner's pardon, renders his forgiveness consistent, 
or his justification possible. It is a privilege which 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 279 

conies from his righteousness alone. " Christ hath 
redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made 
a curse for us." "He is the end of the law for 
righteousness, to every one that believeth." Be- 
lievers are "justified freely "by his grace, through the 
redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath 
set forth, to be a propitiation, through faith in his 
blood." 

Here was the grand theme of the apostle's 
preaching. He made annunciation of a new and 
glorious way of salvation for lost men, through the 
righteousness and blood of Christ. He preached 
that, because Christ, by his sufferings on the cross, 
has vindicated justice, and honored the law, God 
can, and does, offer pardon to rebels. The reconcil- 
iation of man with his Maker comes only through 
virtue of the cross. It is God in Christ, who is " re- 
conciling the world unto himself, not imputing their 
trespasses unto them." " For he hath made him to 
be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be 
made the righteousness of God in him." This is the 
ground on which mercy and truth meet together, 
righteousness and peace embrace each other. See- 
ing God could be just, and yet justify the penitent 
believer, angels, filled with; joy, hasted to bring the 
tidings to earth, shouting, as they flew, " Glory to 
God in the highest, on earth peace, good-will to 
men." 



280 DOCTRINES OF THE CEOSS. 

The sovereignty of the divine mercy in the conver- 
sion, sanctification, and salvation of men, is also in- 
volved and implied in the doctrine of the cross of 
Christ. This the apostle clearly exhibited in preach- 
ing Christ crucified. In the cross of Christ we see 
that the salvation of any of our fallen race is all of 
God, and all of grace ; that the prerogative of heal- 
ing and saving any was purchased by atoning blood, 
by the meritorious death of the Son of God ; that it is 
with God, as his rightful prerogative, to have mercy 
on whom he will have mercy ; that, as sinners con- 
tributed nothing to the atonement, they can have 
no claim to mercy or favor, on account of it. The 
atonement does not alter their natural character, nor 
lessen their ill desert. Their character remains the 
same, as though no atonement had been made, and 
will so remain, unless God, of his own will, or sove- 
reign goodness, interpose and change them, make 
them trophies of his grace. This, God is under no 
obligation to do for any ; for all have sinned, and 
are justly condemned, and deserve to perish, as all 
must and would, if left of God ; in which case, the 
sufferings and death of Christ would have been fruit- 
less and unavailing. That all would continue in 
their naturally chosen course, overlook the cross, 
reject Christ, and neglect his salvation, if left to 
themselves, is abundantly evident, both from the 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 281 

apostle's preaching, and from facts. Their unwil- 
lingness to serve God is such that the Saviour com- 
plained, " Ye will not come to me, that ye might 
have life." Nay, he further said, "No man can 
come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, 
draw him." Coming to Christ implies a willingness 
to come to him ; and no man can come unwillingly. 
It must be a voluntary surrender, or there is no 
coming at alL But, as all are naturally unwilling, 
their unwillingness will prevent their coming to 
Christ, so long as it continues. Unless it is subdued 
and removed, no sinner will be found submitting to 
Christ, and embracing him. But this unwillingness 
is such, that no sinner will, of himself, remove it. It 
is the disposition which he voluntarily cherishes and 
loves. Hence, unless God interpose and subdue this 
perverseness, and dispose the sinner to surrender to 
Christ, he never will be found willing, never will 
come to Christ. But this, God is under no obliga- 
tion to do. Sinners are ill-deserving. They are in 
a state of rebellion. God would be just, were he to 
destroy them. Therefore, if he does interpose, and 
subdue and renew the perverse hearts of any, and 
render them willing to submit, it must be of his own 
self-moving goodness, of his own free, rich, sovereign 
grace. According to the good pleasure of his own 
will, he works in men, when and where it seemeth 



282 DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

good in his sight, both to';will, and to do those things, 
which are pleasing to him and connected with their 
salvation. And this accords with the apostle's state- 
ments, when preaching Christ crucified. Speaking 
of those who do come to Christ, who are truly con- 
verted, he says, ascribing it to God's sovereign good- 
ness, " Of his own will begat he us, with the word 
of truth." " And you hath he quickened, who were 
dead in trespasses and sins." Again, " We are his 
workmanship, created unto good works, which God 
hath foreordained that we should walk in them." 
Again, " Who hath saved us, and called us with an 
holy calling, not according to our works, but accord- 
ing to his own purpose and grace, given to us in 
Christ Jesus, before the world began." Again, 
"Not by works of righteousness which we have 
done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by 
the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of 
the Holy Ghost." 

Nay, more, the apostle considered the fact here 
disclosed, as cause for perpetual thanksgiving and 
praise. " For we are bound to give thanks always 
to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, be- 
cause God hath, from the beginning, chosen you to 
salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and 
belief of the truth ; whereunto he called you by our 
gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 283 

Jesus Christ." The prophetic declaration or promise 
of the Father to the Son, assuring him, that he 
should not suffer and die in vain,—" Thy people shall 
be willing in the day of thy power," shows that, 
when God interposes his power, or pours out his 
Spirit, then, to whatever extent it seemeth good in 
his sight, sinners are rendered willing to submit to 
Christ. 

These representations are in accordance with fact. 
In the pentecostal season of divine power, when the 
Spirit of God was so copiously poured out, what 
wonderful, glorious effects were the result ! Thou- 
sands were convicted of sin, were subdued, and be- 
came willing to submit to Christ and receive the 
gospel. And so it was, in other seasons of the out- 
pouring of the Spirit in the apostolic age. Men 
were made willing to submit to Christ, and embrace, 
and obey him as the Saviour of sinners. Thus it 
has been, and is still, in every genuine revival of re- 
ligion. By the power of the Holy Spirit, which is 
then given, in God's self-moving, sovereign good- 
ness, and grace, sinners are brought to Christ by 
the convicting and subduing power of the Holy 
Spirit. 

The doctrine of the cross, further, includes the 
interesting truth, that God will carry fonoard and 
perfect the worJc of holiness, which he begins in any, 
and finally consummate their salvation in heaven. 



284 DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

In preaching the cross, the apostle preached this 
doctrine. " Being confident of this very thing, that 
he which hath begun a good work in you will per- 
form it until the day of Jesus Christ." He taught 
that God would keep alive, in those he had renew- 
ed, a disposition to cleave to Christ and press for- 
ward in faith and holiness, till their victory shall "be 
complete. "For whom he did foreknow, he also 
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of 
his Son, that he might be the first-born among many 
brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, 
them he also called ; and whom he called, them he 
also justified ; and whom he justified, them he also 
glorified. What shall we then say to these things ? 
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's 
elect ? It is God that justifieth : who is he that con- 
demneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that 
is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, 
who also maketh intercession for us." Who then 
shall condemn the saints, the trophies of grace ? 
God the Father elects and justifies them ; God the 
Son died to redeem them ; and God the Spirit re- 
news and sanctifies them. 

These truths belong to the doctrine of the cross 
of Christ, and are denoted by the expression in the 
text, " the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is 
evident from the fact, that these are the great truths 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 285 

on which the apostle dwelt in his preaching. These 
were the themes which filled and fired his soul. 
In these he gloried. And he gloried in them for 
good reasons. 

These truths are all connected with Christ cru- 
cified for sinners, all point to that as the centre, all 
serve to develope the method of salvation, by the 
vicarious sufferings and death of Christ: glorying 
in them is but glorying in Christ. 

These truths are the power of God unto the sal- 
vation of sinners. " I am not ashamed of the gos- 
pel of Christ ; for it is the power of God, unto sal- 
vation, to every one that believeth." These doc- 
trines not only disclose the method of salvation, de- 
vised for guilty man, by a crucified Kedeemer ; but 
they are adapted to save. They are the appointed 
instrumentality, in the hand of God, of effecting 
their salvation. They are the truths which, in fact, 
save men, who believe, receive, love, and obey them. 
No other system of truth brings forgiveness, reconcil- 
iation, and peace with God. No other is adapted 
like this, to show man his true character, condition 
and need; to humble, subdue and transform the 
soul ; or, in fact, does produce these results. 

These truths., while they bring salvation to man, 
ascribe the whole work of man's salvation to the free, 
rich, sovereign grace of the Triune God. None 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

others do so illustriously display the divine wisdom, 
power, "benevolence, and grace. 

Was not the apostle right, in the object of his 
glorying ? Did not Heaven approve his course ? 
And did he not find a crown of glory in reserve for 
him in heaven, when he finished his earthly service ? 
And is there not a crown of glory laid up in heaven, 
for all who, in like manner, glory in the cross of the 
Lord Jesus Christ ? 

And now, my hearers, do we glory in the cross 
of the Lord Jesus Christ ? Do we believe, receive, 
and rest upon these great truths ? Do our hearts 
cheerfully respond to what these doctrines disclose, 
of the character and will of God ; of the character 
and claims of Christ ; of the sinful nature, ruined 
state, and perishing need of man ; and of the way. 
and the conditions of salvation ? Are any reluctant 
to admit what these truths reveal, unwilling to sub- 
mit to what they require, or disaffected towards this 
method of salvation ? Do any prefer some other 
way of life ? Do you choose a system, which will 
allow you to ascribe salvation to your own worthy 
deeds ? Would you glory rather in doctrines, which 
teach the final salvation of the whole human family, 
be their character what it may, in this life ? Or 
would you glory in a system which disrobes the Sa- 
viour of his divinity, and thus annihilates the atone- 



DOCTKINES OF THE CEOSS. 287 

ment, which denies the demerit of sin, as it denies 
the necessity of the atonement, and thus makes the 
cross of Christ of none effect ? Would you glory 
in these, or in any other doctrines or system, con- 
trary to that denoted by the cross of Christ ? You 
would deviate widely from the resolution and ex- 
ample of Paul. " God forbid that I should glory, 
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." And 
you would meet his divinely inspired anathema also : 
u Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any 
other gospel than that which we have preached, let 
him be accursed." You resist the doctrines of the 
cross, at your peril. 

But why not, in accordance with the example 
of the great apostle, glory only in the cross of 
Christ ? In that method which eternal mercy has 
prepared, to save rebellious, self-ruined man, con- 
sistently with the honor of his law and justice ? 
Why not, like him, glory in these great truths, 
which lay open and propose this method to 
us ? Truths, which so magnify the wisdom and love 
of God, the benevolence and grace of Christ, and 
which are so reproving, purifying, and transforming 
to sinful man, which are the power of God to salva- 
tion % Why not exult in a method, which so exalts 
Jehovah, so honors the Saviour, and the Divine 
Spirit, while it saves those so guilty and lost, from 



288 DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 

such a depth of ruin ? Why riot rejoice in a 
method, which saves ill-deserving sinners, in a way 
that magnifies the riches of sovereign grace, and 
will cause glory and adoration, thanksgiving and 
praise to redound to the Triune God, throughout 
eternal ages ? Are the doctrines of the cross fool- 
ishness to any? Remember it is to them that 
perish. Is the gospel, in its true features and 
spiritual excellence, hid from any ? " It is hid from 
them that are lost." Are the preciousness of a Sa- 
viour, and the matchless wisdom and grace of the 
plan of redemption concealed from any? It is 
proof that the God of this world has blinded their 
minds in their unbelief, lest the light of the glorious 
gospel of Christ should shine unto them. See the 
impiety and the danger of so doing. Rather be 
constrained, like the apostle, to " count all things 
but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ," Let the great truths which appertain to 
Christ and him crucified, be your most interesting 
theme of contemplation. Let them be believed, 
received, and obeyed, and thus make you wise unto 
salvation. Let this method of saving lost men by 
grace awaken your warmest love, your liveliest 
gratitude, and constrain you to depart from all 
iniquity, to give yourselves away to Christ, and to 
live, henceforth, not unto yourselves, but unto him 
who died for you and rose again. 



DOCTRINES OF THE CROSS. 289 

In conclusion, if the cross of Christ, as here ex- 
plained, is worthy to be thus gloried in, if it is just 
ground for glorying, then we see the guilty, perilous 
attitude of those who despise and reject it. The 
doctrines of grace, which appertain to the sufferings 
and death of so glorious a personage, to purchase 
redemption and salvation for guilty, self-ruined man, 
cannot be despised and rejected, without deep impi- 
ety, — aggravated guilt ; without putting the soul to 
infinite hazard. It is despising the richest display 
of divine perfections, that Jehovah has ever made, 
and contemning the only method, by which sinful 
man can be saved. " He that despised Moses' law 
died without mercy under two or three witnesses : 
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall 
he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot 
the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the 
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy 
thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of 
grace ? " Have a care of your treatment of the cross 
of Christ. 



SERMON VII. 

THE PEEILS AND THE SAFETY OF THE CHUECH. 

Exodus in. 3. 

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why 
the bnsh is not burnt. 

Moses, by a very remarkable providence, was 
raised up to deliver Israel from their oppressions in 
Egypt ; and, though ignorant of his own destination 
to this work, still his breast glowed with deep feel- 
ing for his injured brethren. As he went abroad, 
and saw the cruelty with which they were treated, 
his indignation was enkindled against their unfeel- 
ing oppressors, and his soul burned to see his people 
avenged of their wrongs, and released from their 
sufferings. And he gave vent to his feelings, on a 
certain occasion, which made it necessary for him to 
nee from Egypt for his own safety. Seeing an 
Egyptian task-master cruelly beating a Hebrew, he 
could forbear no longer, but slew the Egyptian, and 



PERILS AND SAFETY OF THE CHURCH. 291 

hid him in the sand. But, finding that the transac- 
tion was discovered, and that t Pharaoh sought to 
take his life, he tied into Midian, where, for years, he 
dwelt in retirement, keeping the flock of the priest 
of Midian ; relinquishing, doubtless, all thought of 
ever being able to deliver his suffering people from 
the power of their oppressors. But when Jehovah's 
time had come, he appeared to Moses in the desert 
of Midian, and made known to him his purpose to 
send him to deliver Israel from their cruel bondage, 
and to conduct them to the promised land. The 
circumstances of this wondrous appearing of the 
Lord to Moses, are detailed in the connection. 

Moses had led the flock to the back side of the 
desert, even to Horeb, afterwards called the Mount 
of God. And then, the angel of the Lord appeared 
unto him, in a flame of fire out of the midst of a 
bush. Moses was surprised at so unexpected a 
sight ; but his surprise was increased, on perceiving, 
that the bush, though enveloped in flame, was not 
consumed, or impaired. And, as Moses thought to 
draw near to examine this wonderful phenomenon, 
the Lord called to him from out of the midst of the 
bush, and forbade his drawing near, and directed 
him to put off his shoes, as the place on which he 
stood was holy. And the Lord further said to him 
from the midst of the flame, " I am the God of thy 



292 PERILS AXD SAFETY 

father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and 
the God of Jacob. I have surely seen the affliction 
of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard 
their cry, by reason of their task-masters; for I 
know their sorrows ; and I am come down to deliver 
them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring 
them up out of that land, unto a good land, and a 
large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey." 
" Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto 
Pharaoh, that thou may est bring forth my people, 
the children of Israel, out of Egypt." 

I. The bush burning, yet not consumed, may be 
used to illustrate the afflictions of Israel in Egypt ; 
the afflictions of the Church in the world ; and the 
conflicts of individual Christians. 

1. We will attend to the illustration which it 
affords of the afflictions and preservation of the 
Israelites in JSgypL 

The flame, it is said by critics, was not in a cedar, 
but in a bramble or thorn bush. Such being quick- 
ly consumed ordinarily, the continuance of this bush 
was the more surprising. This emblem may suggest 
the feebleness of the Hebrews in Egypt and the ease 
with which they might be consumed. And as the bush 
was enveloped in flame, so the Israelites were in ex- 
treme distress. They were experiencing afflictions 
and treatment, which were suited to exterminate 



OF THE CHURCH. 293 

them ; and which, in the ordinary course of things, 
would have done it. When a new king arose, that 
knew not Joseph, he looked upon the increase and 
prosperity of the Hebrews with a jealous eye, and 
apprised his nobles, that this people were becoming 
more and mightier than they ; and that it was ne- 
cessary to adopt some crafty, politic measures, to 
prevent their rapid increase ; lest in case of invasion 
they should join with the enemies of the king, and 
deprive him of his crown, or effect their own escape 
from his hands. Accordingly, in prosecution of 
their policy, they placed over the Israelites taskmas- 
ters to afflict them with heavy burdens, and to lay 
upon them a hard and rigorous service ; and they 
caused them to build treasure cities, or fortifications, 
for Pharaoh in different parts of his kingdom ; and 
made them to serve with rigor, and rendered their 
lives bitter with hard bondage in mortar and brick, 
and all manner of service in the field ; all the ser- 
vice, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor. 
But the more they were afflicted, the more they 
multiplied and grew. The king finding himself baf- 
fled, adopted another expedient to accomplish his 
purpose ; which was to have all the male children 
born among the Hebrews put to death, first secret- 
ly ; but not being able to accomplish this, he next 
gave commandment openly, that every son born 



294: PERILS AND SAFETY 

among the Israelites, they should cast into the river ; 
determined thus to diminish and weaken them as a 
people, till there would be no clanger of their doing 
him injury. Many of the learned are of the opinion 
that this inhuman edict was so abhorred by the 
Egyptians themselves, that they did not long carry 
it into extensive execution ; and that it was repealed 
after the death of the king who enacted it, which 
Eusebius and others place in the fourth year after 
the birth of Moses. But whether this bloody de- 
cree was repealed or not, one thing is certain, that 
while it was in full force, in the providence of God, 
Moses was spared ; and, at the expense of Pharaoh's 
daughter, was nursed, and instructed in all the learn- 
ing of Egypt, and thus pre-eminently qualified to de- 
liver Israel from that very power, which was pur- 
suing such rigorous and effective measures to secure 
their diminution and subjugation. Thus we see the 
bush burning, yet not consuming. The Israelites 
were encompassed with the flames of oppression, 
and all those rigorous and exterminating measures 
which, the cruel, crafty policy of the Egyptians could 
devise ; and yet they were not diminished, but in- 
creased. In the furnace of affliction, they were 
not burnt. Experiencing those things which were 
suited to exterminate them, yet they lived a distinct 
people, and were multiplied. And instead of being 



OF THE CHURCH. 295 

crushed, or even retained in bondage, we see them, 
soon after this, delivered from their oppressors by a 
signal victory, and becoming a great and powerful 
nation. How obviously significant of the case of 
the Israelites in Egypt was the bush, which Moses 
saw enveloped in flame, yet not consumed. And 
how suitable for Jehovah to employ such an em- 
blem, when appearing to Moses to send him to de- 
liver the people from their oppressors. 

But as the nation of Israel was evidently typical 
of the true church, the emblem of the burning, un- 
consumed bush may suggest, 

2. The afflicted state of the Church in the world. 

The church in its militant state is destined to 
experience afflictions. It lies in an enemy's country. 
Being not of this world, but diverse from the world 
in its character and laws, spirit and practice, the 
world is in hostility towards it. The prince of this 
world is jealous of the increase and prosperity of 
the church, and therefore stirs up an opposing 
world towards it. He insinuates, that the increase 
of the church is an evil to the community. That, 
being a peculiar people, and having laws and max- 
ims of their own, and aspiring after power for an 
injurious purpose, their enlargement is dangerous to 
the public good. Hence the world deem it impor- 
tant to adopt measures to lessen the influence, and 



296 PEEILS AND SAFETY 

prevent the increase of Christians. Among other 
measures, cruel and horrid persecutions have been 
raised against the church. Christians have been 
opposed in their measures to promote their own in- 
crease, misrepresented and slandered, perplexed and 
abused. In many instances, they have been pro- 
scribed, and hunted out of the world by multitudes. 
The fagot, the rack, and various modes of torture 
and of death, have been employed to thin their 
ranks, and to deter others from espousing their 
cause. Thus the church has been literally envel- 
oped in flame. The world has ever been disposed 
to treat the church with rigor. That native dis- 
affection which was manifested towards the great 
Head of the church, and which he apprised his fol- 
lowers they would meet, is ever jealous of the in- 
crease of the church ; and it keeps the world awake 
to such measures as are adapted to harass, perplex, 
and afflict the people of God, prevent their increase, 
and diminish their influence. To accomplish this, 
it is not only ever ready to originate politic and 
crafty measures, but it has proceeded to numerous 
scenes of actual bloodshed and slaughter, which 
have seemed to threaten the church with entire ex- 
tinction. At one time, the implements of death 
were wielded by pagan powers in a succession of 
bloody persecutions. At another period the work 



OF THE CHURCH. 297 

of Christian slaughter was carried on by papal au- 
thority, through successive scenes of open persecu- 
tion. 

But amidst all these fires of afiTiction and death, 
the church has lived. And though the maddened 
rage of an opposing world has, in some ages, ex- 
hausted all the policy and all the power, it could 
employ to exterminate the church, yet the bush is 
not burnt, the church is not consumed. Individuals, 
it is true, have been cut off, and called from this 
militant state, to join the church triumphant sooner 
than they otherwise would have been ; but others 
have risen up in succession to supply their places, 
so that it long since became proverbial, " The blood 
of the martyrs is the seed of the church." 

And though efforts are still made, of a milder 
character, indeed,, but with the same fixed and 
wakeful aim, to undermine and root out the church, 
by decrying her doctrines as odious, by propagating 
plausible yet subversive error, yet the church still 
increases, and her doctrines spread; so that not- 
withstanding all the policy and efforts which are 
now employed, or which have been employed, to 
diminish the numbers or the influence of the church, 
some of which have seemed really fitted to extermi- 
nate it, as the flames to consume the bush, still the 
church lives and thrives. The bush is waxing more 



298 PERILS AND SAFETY 

thrifty. And the time never has been when the 
church could be seen enlarging and extending so 
rapidly, and so widely, as it is seen to do at the 
present time. The bush burning, yet not consumed, 
is then a lively emblem of the church in her mili- 
tant state. 

3. It is also emblematical of the state of individ- 
ual Christians. Christians, individually, while in 
this life are in a state of spiritual conflict. They 
are assailed without and within, by numerous foes, 
whose aim and tendency are, to prevent their ad- 
vances in holiness, and thus despoil them of salva- 
tion. And when it is considered how numerous 
and formidable these enemies of the soul are, and 
how insufficient the Christian is, of himself, to resist 
them, there is reason for surprise, that he is not 
overcome and ruined. The Christian's spiritual foes 
may be summed up in these ; an alluring, ensnaring 
world; a malignant, yet subtle adversary; and a 
deceitful, treacherous heart, or the remains of the 
carnal mind. The world presents to the eye of 
sense its almost infinitely various objects, as lures to 
draw away the heart from God, and divert the eye 
of faith from heavenly things; while unsanctified 
nature, pleased with the objects presented, wishes, 
and even pleads, for indulgence. The arch-deceiver, 
who is always seeking whom he may destroy, is 



OF THE CHURCH. 299 

giving power to these lures, and by his suggestions 
and influence, exciting and invigorating depraved 
inclinations and evil passions ; thus giving force to 
temptation ; while the heart, not set against sin, 
and fixed on God with sufficient firmness and wake- 
fulness, does not readily perceive the fowler's snare, 
or is inclined to yield to the temptation presented. 
The Christian, thus pursued, is in some instances 
ensnared, wounded, and afflicted ; but he recovers. 
With grief of heart, and with more vigilance, he 
again renews the conflict. And such is the nature, 
the subtlety, and the perseverance of his foes, and 
such is the dimness of his faith, the languor of his 
love, and the feebleness of his resistance, that it will 
be a wonder if he be not again ensnared. Yea, it 
is matter of astonishment, that he is not utterly 
vanquished ; and does not become an easy prey to 
the destroyer of souls. In view of their own ina- 
bility to sustain this conflict, it is intimated in the 
Scriptures, that the righteous are scarcely saved. 
They sometimes feel disheartened; view the issue 
of the conflict as doubtful, and fear they shall one 
day fall by the enemy's hand ; but still the Chris- 
tian lives. His spiritual life is sustained, and will 
be sustained, strange as it may appear. His faith- 
ful love will not expire. Though he fall, he shall 
rise again. Though often in distress, he is not in 



300 PEKILS AND SAFETY 

despair. Though sometimes cast down, he is not 
destroyed. This bush, though encompassed with 
flame, and in itself considered, easily demolished, is 
not consumed, and will not be consumed. The 
Christian is ripening for heaven. With all his fee- 
bleness, he is destined to overcome his spiritual 
foes. The righteous are saved ; though it be with 
difficulty, and through much tribulation. 

Having noticed the emblematical instruction 
afforded by the bush burning, in reference to Israel 
in Egypt, to the church, and individual believers, 

II. We may consider why the righteous, though 
in peril, are secure. 

It was very surprising to Moses that a bramble 
bush, which, in ordinary cases, is so speedily con- 
sumed by fire, should, in this instance, be enveloped 
in a vigorous flame, and yet not be burnt. This 
was something altogether out of the course of na- 
ture. But the phenomenon was soon explained to 
him. He soon perceived that the Augel of the 
Lord was in the midst of the bush. This unfolded 
the mystery. But who is this Angel of the Lord, 
that appeared unto Moses in the bush ? Not a 
created Angel, surely, as appears from what fol- 
lows, but the Angel, Jehovah, the Angel of the Cove- 
nant, who is Jehovah. This Angel called unto 
Moses and said, " I am the God of thy father, the 



OF THE CHURCH. 301 

God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of 
Jacob. And Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid 
to look upon God." " And God said unto Moses, I 
AM THAT I AM ; and he said, Thus shalt thou say 
unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto 
you." The name, which the speaker here assumes, 
is a title of Jehovah, and implies self-existence, 
independence, immutability, incomprehensibleness, 
eternity, and consummate perfection. And there is 
much reason to believe that the speaker here was 
the Redeemer, the second person in the Divine 
Trinity, who had commenced the work of media- 
tion, and was making proposals of peace to men, 
though the time of his incarnation and suffering 
had not yet arrived. He is declared to be, " The 
same yesterday, to-day, and for ever ; " " the Al- 
pha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the 
first and the last." And when dwelling in human 
flesh, he evidently assumed the title here used, 
when he said to the Jews, " Before Abraham was, 
I am." What more evident, than that the Saviour 
meant here to assert his eternity and self-existence, 
and that he was the Jehovah of the Old Testament, 
who appeared to Moses in the bush. But suffice it 
to say, if the Almighty God was in the midst of the 
bush, the phenomenon is sufficiently accounted for, 
why the bush was not burnt. 



302 PERILS AND SAFETY 

Here then we have the reason, not only why the 
bush was not burnt, but why the children of Israel 
were not consumed under their cruel oppression 
and hard bondage in Egypt. The self-existent, Al- 
mighty God was in the midst of them, therefore 
they were preserved, and therefore they were in- 
creased. The Angel of the Covenant, who is the 
mighty Redeemer, was with them, and not only 
preserved and increased them, but wrought deliver- 
ance for them, gave them victory, and led them 
forth to Canaan. 

We are shown also by this emblem, why the 
church in her militant state is not crushed and ex- 
terminated, when so mightily assailed. The Re- 
deemer, the Lord of Hosts is with her. " The God 
of Jacob is her refuse." God is in the midst of her. 
Therefore, the measures employed for her extermi- 
nation prove abortive. Therefore it is that the 
flame in which she is enveloped does not take effect. 
Though in a fiery furnace, yet the Son of God is 
with her ; and therefore she is not consumed. He 
often defeats the counsels of her enemies, baffles 
their efforts, and the most promising measures, 
which they adopt to diminish and weaken the 
church, he often causes to eventuate in her enlarge- 
ment and prosperity. 

Here, then, we see the reason why the church 



OF THE CHURCH. 303 

has continued, and increased, amidst all the corrup- 
tion, persecutions, and afflictions with which it has 
been assailed; and amidst all the policy, crafty 
measures, and malignant efforts, which the com- 
bined powers of earth and darkness have employed 
to exterminate, diminish, or vex it. The Lord 
dwells in Zion. His dwelling-place cannot be de- 
molished. His own declaration is, " I will cleanse 
her blood, that I have not cleansed, for the Lord 
dwelleth in Zion." He will not only preserve and 
defend the church, but purify and enlarge it. He 
dwells in it for this purpose. 

We here see why it is that individual Chris- 
tians do not sink under the severity of their con- 
flicts. How they are supported under overwhelm- 
ing trials, excruciating tortures, when immured in 
prisons, confined in chains, or appointed to some 
lingering, painful death. The peace of God sup- 
ports their souls. Their Saviour is with them ; on 
him they lean ; his presence, his consolations, and 
his grace sustain them. And we see why Chris- 
tians do not fall from their steadfastness, yield to 
temptation, plunge into sin and perish ; why they 
are not led away by the lures of the world, the 
lusts of the flesh, the subtleties of Satan, or some 
specious heresy to their ruin. The Lord is their 
keeper ; and having begun a good work in them, 



804 PEKILS AND SAFETY 

he will perform and perfect it. In every tempta- 
tion, he will make a way for their escape. The au- 
thor and finisher of their faith is with them. He 
keeps them by his power through faith unto salva- 
tion. He leads the humble inquirer into truth. 
He works in his people to will and to do, there- 
fore they work out their salvation with fear and 
trembling. He gives them grace and strength equal 
to their day ; therefore it is that they conquer. 

We may learn from this subject, 

1. That the enemies of the Church, who are hop- 
ing and looking for her extinction, will surely he dis- 
appointed. The things they desire, they will never 
see. Though they may labor and plot, and even rave, 
as they have done in some instances, to effect her 
extermination, yet they never, will accomplish their 
object. They may heap fagots around her, and 
fan the fires of affliction, but this bush will never be 
consumed. The Son of God is in the midst of it, 
and the flame, however fierce, cannot take effect. 
Though their number and power be increased a 
thousand fold, the hopes of success would be vain. 
More are for the church than are against it. The 
church having the Angel of the Covenant in the 
midst of it, cannot be exterminated, but is destined 
to live and to have enlargement. True, some por- 



OF THE CHUECH. 305 

tion of the visible church, or that which professes 
to be such, may be found so corrupt as to be dis- 
owned of God and blotted out, but the true church 
will live, and somewhere find enlargement. Her 
opposers may ruin themselves in the contest, and 
they may occasion the more speedy flight to heaven 
of numbers of her members ; but the true church 
must live, and increase too, in spite of all that the 
combined powers of earth and darkness can array 
against her. The church is built upon a rock, and 
it is the declaration of Him who is in the midst of 
her, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against 
her. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh at 
the rage of a hostile world against the church, while 
he declares the decree, that the church must ad- 
vance and fill the earth, that the heathen shall be- 
come the inheritance of Christ, and the uttermost 
parts of the earth his possession. 

The friends of Zion may, then, dismiss their 
fears respecting the extermination of the church, 
and may be encouraged to labor and pray for its 
advancement, as their labors and prayers will not 
be abortive, for the church will live and flourish. 
God has said he will make her " an eternal excel- 
lency, a joy of many generations." " Pray for 
the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that 
love thee." " For Zion's sake hold not your peace, 



30(1 PEEILS AND SAFETY 

and for Jerusalem's sake rest not, until the right- 
eousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the sal- 
vation thereof as a lamp that burnetii." 

2. Individual Christians may derive encourage- 
ment from our subject to press forward in their con- 
flicts with their spiritual foes, with the cheering hope 
that victory will be theirs. Though outward tempta- 
tions assail them ; though inward trials distress and 
terrify them, and afflictions and sufferings, in some 
instances, bear hard upon them; and it seems as if 
all combined would overwhelm them, still let them 
remember that the Angel of the Covenant is with 
them, who has said, " Because I live, ye shall live 
also ; " and though in the furnace of affliction, they 
will not be consumed. The bush will not be burned. 
" Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh 
in the morning." The grace of Him who made his 
dwelling with them will be sufficient for them ; and 
he will cause all things to work for their good. 

3. If a holy God dwells in the midst of his peo- 
ple, what manner of persons it becometh them to be in 
all holy conversation and godliness. Holiness be- 
comes the dwelling-place of the Lord, for ever. 
"Know ye not that Jesus Christ is in you, ex- 
cept ye be reprobates ? " How it concerns them to 
keep clean and pure this temple of the Lord ; to see 
that there is nothing in their heart or hands, that 






OF THE CHURCH. 307 

shall make it inconsistent for God to dwell with 
them ; that their character and lives be such, that 
God shall not be ashamed to be called their God, 
and to own them as his people. It concerns them 
to reflect his image, and thus show forth his praise. 
And while they contemplate the interesting fact, 
that "the foundation of God standeth sure," and 
that " the Lord knoweth them that are his," they 
should be careful to prove that they are his, and 
are on this foundation, by observing his direction : 
" And let every one that nameth the name of Christ 
depart from iniquity." 

Finally : If the Keeper of Israel, who is the mighty 
God, is with his people ; if his Spirit dwells in their 
hearts, then it is a good thing to be a Christian. It 
is no mean thing to be enrolled among the citizens 
of Zion. It is a privilege which it will not be safe 
to despise. It is the part of wisdom to cast in 
our lot with the true children of God. And to 
you, my hearers, not of this character, permit me 
to say, supported by the "Word of God, that if you 
would be safe, and have solid peace ; if you would 
be carried through the tribulations of this life un- 
hurt, and have lasting honor, imperishable beauty, 
and unutterable happiness in heaven for ever, be a 
Christian : possess the character of a true child of 
God. This will insure it all. 



SERMON VIII. 

AFFLICTIONS AN AID IN THE WAY TO HEAYEN. 
Acts xiv. 22. 
We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 

These words were addressed to Christians, to 
strengthen their faith and encourage them to en- 
dure trials with fortitude, and to press forward in 
the divine life with patience and perseverance. One 
would scarcely think, at first view, that they who 
had just set out in the Christian course would be 
greatly encouraged by such a suggestion ; and yet, 
encouraged they were. 

While Paul and Barnabas were preaching the 
Gospel in Iconium with much success, where a great 
multitude of Greeks and Jews believed, unbelieving 
Jews stirred up the Gentiles against them, and 
caused so much opposition and threatening, that the 
apostles fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, 
where they were well received. But here, where 



AFFLICTIONS AN AID IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN. 309 

the way was open for them to preach the Gospel 
with success, they were not allowed to preach. 
They were followed by certain disaffected Jews 
from Antioch and Iconium, who, in their rage 
against the apostles, persuaded the people to stone 
Paul ; having done which, they drew him out of the 
city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disci- 
ples stood around him, deeply mourning, a he rose 
up and came into the city, and the next day de- 
parted with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they 
had preached the Gospel to that city, and taught 
many, they returned again to Lystra, and Iconium, 
and Antioch," not dishearetned by their trials, con- 
versing with the young converts in those places, 
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them 
to continue in the faith, and apprising them that 
" we must through much tribulation enter into the 
kingdom of God." The words teach us the follow- 
ing things : 

I. While in this world, Christians are subject to 
various afflictions. This we learn from the Word 
of God, and from painful experience. "In this 
world," said Christ to his disciples, " ye shall have 
tribulation." Man is born to trouble : affliction is 
the common lot of man : Christians are not exempt 
from a full share in them ; in many instances they 
have more than others. This is not because they 

21 



310 AFFLICTIONS AN AID 

are more ill deserving than others, but because it 
is for their good. " Whom the Lord loveth he 
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he re- 
ceiveth." Who does not experience more or less of 
affliction ? The afflictions of man are various. They 
arise from the frailty of our natures, from the oppo- 
sition of the world to religion, and from the disci- 
plinary hand of the Lord for our benefit. But the 
grand procuring cause of all the evils vre meet with 
in this life is sin. " Sin entered into the world, and 
death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, 
for that all have sinned." 

These tribulations consist, in part, in pains and 
diseases of the body. Many endure much suffering 
from this source. Many are afflicted by the loss of 
health — are obliged to struggle for long years with 
disease, unable to accomplish their purposes or en- 
joy the blessings of life. Many are afflicted by losses 
and disappointments. After they have acquired a 
property by the toil and care of years, it takes 
wings and disappears. In various ways men are 
turned out of their course ; their property and plans 
are frustrated, and they are grievously disappointed. 
Great tribulations have Christians been called to 
pass through in their course to heaven, occasioned 
by the opposition of the world to divine truth and 
religion. Call to mind the sufferings of the pro- 



IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN". 311 

phets and people of God in old times, and the trials 
of the apostles and primitive Christians, from this 
source. Who can compute or conceive of the 
amount of suffering endured by Christians since the 
apostolic age, from persecution ? What vast multi- 
tudes have been hunted and driven out of the 
world, put to death by the most cruel modes of 
torture, that malignant ingenuity could devise. And 
at the present time, in some portions of the world, 
they who have renounced idolatry and embraced 
Christianity, under the preaching of the mission- 
aries of the Cross, are enduring much tribulation 
from persecution. Even in our own enlightened 
land, Christians experience more or less annoyance 
from the opposition of the world to the Gospel and 
to religion. They are impeached and opposed in 
their efforts to promote the purity of the churches 
and the prosperity of Zion. In some instances their 
good conversation is falsely accused, and reproach 
is cast upon them on account of their adherence to 
Christ and his truth. More especially are they sub- 
ject to animadversion and disaffection, who are set 
for the defence of the Gospel, if they faithfully dis- 
pense it, reprove sin, and labor to correct what they 
deem to be wrong. They are sometimes, as was 
their Lord and Master, "hated without a cause.' 5 
These things are among the tribulations, through 



312 AFFLICTIONS AN AID 

which Christians must pass in their way to the king- 
dom of heaven. There is another trial, by no means 
the lightest, endured by Christians and ministers, 
when they see error and irreligion prevailing in the 
community, when divisions and discords exist in the 
church, or scandalous things are chargeable upon 
any of its members ; when reproach rests upon 
Zion. When these things exist, they who love Zion 
and are seeking the purity and enlargement of the 
church, and the conversion of sinners, are exceed- 
ingly pained. " For the hurt of the daughter of my 
people am I hurt." They have a burden resting 
upon them from which they would gladly be re- 
lieved — a weight of mental suffering which has, no 
doubt, impaired the health and shortened the life 
of many a Christian and Christian minister. And 
need I mention, as among the tribulations of this 
life, bereavement, from the death of dear friends, 
when such an afflicting instance of it is now before 
us?* "We are indeed subject to sore bereavements. 
Our dearest friends die : the parents of our blood 
and life, however useful, however much our earthly 
happiness depends on them, are torn from us. Pa- 
rents are bereft of beloved children ; children are 
bereft of parents ; brothers and sisters are separated 

* Preached at the funeral of the wife of Kev. G. W. Hathaway, 
Bloomfield. 



IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN. 313 

by death. Thus the loved ones, who, we fondly 
hoped, would accompany us through life, and contri- 
bute essentially to our happiness in this vale of 
tears, are snatched away ; and bereavements are 
among the tribulations of this life. I will not enu- 
merate further, since each one has painful proof 
that what the apostle taught in that age is true 
still — that while in this world we are subject to 
tribulation. 

II. This fact need not prevent any from entering 
the kingdom of God. Though the afflictions of this 
life are grievous and painful in the endurance, yet 
they need not diminish or weaken faith, or any of 
the Christian graces. And though they lie all along 
the Christian's pathway, still his progress in his 
heavenward course need not be at all retarded by 
them. It is not the tendency of afflictions, when 
viewed aright, to weaken faith, unless it be in the 
promises of earth, by causing us to see the treachery 
of the world in flattering men to expect from it 
what it does not afford. It seems to have been in- 
tended that tribulation should not divert the atten- 
tion of men from their spiritual, heavenly course, 
nor hinder their progress therein. The apostle having 
been driven from place to place by persecution, 
went again through those places, confirming and 
strengthening the souls of believers, exhorting them 



314 AFFLICTIONS AN AID 

to continue in the faith, at the same time apprising 
them that they must through much tribulation en- 
ter into the kingdom of God, or press their way to 
heaven. So far are the tribulations of this life 
from being adapted to weaken the faith of Chris- 
tians, or hinder their progress in their heavenly 
course ; 

III. They are necessary to promote the Chris- 
tians progress in the divine life, and to accelerate his 
fitness for entering the Jcingdom of heaven. "We 
must through much tribulation enter into the king- 
dom of God." The word u must" does not mean 
that the thing is fixed in itself by any fatal neces- 
sity, but that it is fitting and proper that it should 
be so. Such is the frailty of our nature, the deceit- 
fulness of our hearts, the nature of religion, that a 
conflict is to be expected. It will happen, and it 
need not be avoided. In such circumstances it is 
proper that the conflict should be endured. The 
apostle here reminds young converts, and those who 
have entered upon the Christian course, that they 
are to meet with more or less of affliction in their 
way to the heavenly rest ; but he does not mention 
this to deter any from entering on that course, or 
to dishearten any who have set out in it : on the 
contrary, he would inspire them with fresh courage, 
strengthen their faith, have them know what to ex- 



IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN. 315 

pect, and arm themselves for the conflict, that when 
troubles shall come, they may not be disappointed 
nor disheartened, but meet and brave them with a 
holy faith and fortitude, trusting in God for sup- 
port, and for grace and strength to carry them 
through. The apostle does not state why it is ne- 
cessary that Christians should pass through much 
tribulation in their way to heaven ; yet I think we 
can discover some reasons why it may be so. 

1. That we may know more of the evil nature, 
tendency and effects of sin, and thus be prepared to 
appreciate the blessing of deliverance from it. Were 
we to be taken to heaven exempt from toils, con- 
flicts with remaining sin, an opposing world, the ad- 
versary of souls, and other trials and afllictions 
from within and without, which beset the pilgrim's 
path, we should not fully know how great the evil 
from which Christians are delivered when they arrive 
at heaven, and how great a blessing to be thus 
delivered. We can clearly see that the entrance 
upon the heavenly rest will be vastly more sweet 
and delightful to those, who have endured a severe 
conflict with spiritual enemies, and passed through 
much tribulation and affliction, in their way thither. 

2. Tribulations are needful and fitting to devel- 
ope our character and make us acquainted with our- 
selves. No circumstances, perhaps, in which we 



316 AFFLICTIONS AN AID 

are placed are so well adapted, and so effectual, to 
give us a correct knowledge of ourselves, as those of 
adversity and affliction. If we were favored with 
uninterrupted prosperity, and should find all things 
going well with us, according to our wishes, we 
might be, in a measure, ignorant of our own hearts 
and our own spirits ; might think ourselves recon- 
ciled to God, and willing that he should dispose of 
us and of ours as he sees fit. But when God lays his 
afflictive hand heavily upon us, frustrates our plans, 
breaks in upon our arrangements, takes from us 
near and dear friends, as a bosom companion, chil- 
dren, parents, brother or sister, whose society con- 
tributed essentially to our happiness, and who, we 
fondly hoped, would be permitted to accompany us 
all the way through life, and administer to our aid 
and comfort; when he thus turns us out of our 
course, or appoints to us the endurance of some living 
trial, bodily or mental, we are then furnished with a 
stern and effectual test by which to try ourselves. We 
have opportunity to ascertain whether we can bow 
with humble submission to the will of our holy, 
righteous Sovereign, believing that he does all 
things wisely and well — whether we can say, as was 
said of old, " I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, 
because thou didst it." " It is the Lord, let him do 
what seemeth him good." "The cup which my 



IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN". 317 

Father hath given me, shall I not drink it ? " " The 
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and 
blessed be the name of the Lord." " Though he slay 
me, yet will I trust in him." Now, if in adversity 
we are conscious of possessing submission and recon- 
ciliation to God, it is well ; we obtain new and good 
evidence of Christian character, of being the children 
of God, which we cannot obtain in a time of pros- 
perity. Our hope is in this way confirmed, and our 
faith strengthened ; and we are led to commit our 
way to him, and cast our burdens upon him, and rely 
upon him with increased confidence. But if in afflic- 
tion we cannot submit to the will of God, and acqui- 
esce in his dealings with us, it is evidence against us, 
that our hearts are not right. And this develop- 
ment may increase our self-knowledge, may serve to 
humble us, and result in true repentance and con- 
scious reconciliation to the will of God. In this way ? 
afflictions are needful, and may prove beneficial. 

To pass through much tribulation, in our earthly 
pilgrimage, is fitting and needful, for the purpose of 
discipline. God evidently designs that his children 
shall grow, not only in the knowledge of him, but 
in a conformity to his will, until they become meet 
to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in 
light. And, among all the instrumentalities which 
he employs in carrying forward the work of holi- 



318 AFFLICTIONS AN AID 

ness, which he has commenced in them, afflictions 
are not the least important. These prove a very 
salutary discipline. Painful indeed they are, griev- 
ous to be borne, but well adapted both to develope, 
and subdue the remains of corrupt nature, evil pas- 
sions and inclinations, love of self and of the crea- 
ture, disobedience, reluctance to duty, proneness to 
wander, to leave the path of duty, or trust in an 
arm of flesh. Now, as God loves his children, and 
designs to do them good, he corrects them when he 
sees it needful. " Whom the Lord loveth he chas- 
teneth." Afflictions are his rod, wherewith he re- 
claims their wanderings, keeps them in the way of 
obedience, and in the path of duty. Christians, 
when afflicted, feeling not only their dependence on 
God, but their need of his support and help, cleave 
unto him as an effect of tribulation. Said an afflict- 
ed disciple, not long since in my hearing, " I find 
that afflictions bring me near to God." It is writ- 
ten, "Happy is the man whom God correcteth, 
therefore despise not the chastening of the Al- 
mighty." Again, "Before I was afflicted I went 
astray ; but now have I kept thy word." Chris- 
tians have been in fact greatly benefited by the 
tribulations they have met with, in their path- 
way to the kingdom. They have become more 
spiritual, more weaned from the world, and more 



IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN. 319 

heavenly-minded. They have been made to live 
nearer to God, to be more watchful, more prayer- 
ful, more useful, to find sweeter commimion and 
richer consolation. Many a minister has been ren- 
dered more spiritual, and more successful, by the 
salutary effects of afflictions. 

The Christian's path, though it leads through 
much tribulation, surely conducts to heaven. " We 
must, through much tribulation, enter into the 
kingdom of God." Christians will surely enter 
into the heavenly rest, though they have to wade 
through much of sorrow ; and adversity does not 
hinder them. So far from impeding their march, 
their afflictions will but accelerate their progress, as 
they will advance their fitness for the heavenly 
mansions. As the tribulations and afflictions of 
this life serve to wean them from the world, by 
showing their treachery and disappointing nature, 
they cause them to long and pant after that better 
country, where there is no sin, nor sorrow, nor sigh- 
ing, no more parting with friends, no evil of any 
kind ; where " the wicked cease from troubling, and 
the weary are at rest." And, as a crowning benefit, 
of having much tribulation in their way to the 
heavenly rest, it will make their entrance upon that 
rest far more sweet and delightful. How great the 
contrast ! Here, 



320 AFFLICTIONS AN AID IN THE WAY TO HEAVEN. 

"By glimmering hopes, and gloomy fears, 
"We trace the sacred road ; 
Through dismal swamps, and dangerous snares 
We make our way to God. 

Our journey is a thorny maze, 

But we march upwards still ; 
Forget these troubles of the ways, 

And reach at Zion's hill. 



There, on a green and flowery mount, 

Our weary souls shall sit, 
And, with transporting joys, recount 

The labors of our feet." 



SEKMON IX. 

THE BELIEVER'S REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 

Deut. viii. 2. 

And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led 
thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove 
thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep 
his commandments or no. 

These words were addressed by Moses to Ms be- 
loved Israel, when about to leave them. He had 
been with them in all their journeyings in the wil- 
derness for a long period ; had witnessed all their 
murmurings, and afflictions, and the many mighty 
works which God wrought in their behalf; and 
having conducted them near to the confines of the 
promised land, and being about to go the way of 
all the earth, he gave them his parting, dying 
counsel. The object he had in view was to secure 
their adherence to the worship and service of Jeho- 
vah, and their obedience to his commands; well 
knowing that on this would depend the welfare and 



322 

prosperity of the nation. Among the numerous 
exhortations and injunctions which he gave them, is 
the one here cited. Here he enjoins it upon them to 
look back upon their past history ; to remember all 
the way in which God had led them ; the wonder- 
ful things which he had wrought for them ; the sig- 
nal mercies he had shown them ; the various afflic- 
tions and chastisements with which he had visited 
them for their sins; that he might humble them, 
subdue and purify them, cure their murmurings, 
and make them his obedient children. Such retro- 
spection Moses deemed important, to keep them 
humble, thankful, a,nd obedient. 

We may now leave the children of Israel, and 
apply this injunction to ourselves ; and in doing this, 
may take a retrospect of the way in which the Lord 
Jesus Christ has led us these many years, and call 
to remembrance what he has done for us. And in 
these reminiscences, we have to go back to the pe- 
riod of infancy, for his care of us has been commen- 
surate with our existence. 

He lias protected us. He it is, that preserved 
our lives during the period of feeble, helpless in- 
fancy; and in childhood, and youth, and in our 
riper years. He preserved us from disease, or 
healed our sicknesses. He shielded us from seen 
and unseen dangers ; kept our feet from falling, and 



REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 323 

our souls from death ; turned aside the shafts of the 
destroyer, which have been flying thick around us. 
He has watched over us by day and by night ; has 
never lost sight of us for a moment since our exist- 
ence commenced. He has, all along, provided for, 
and supplied our numerous wants. He has given 
us comfortable habitations, food and raiment, and 
domestic endearments; and has provided for our 
comfort in ten thousand ways. Privileges invalu- 
able he has granted us ; with the means of grace 
and salvation, he has greatly distinguished us. 

All our temporal blessings, and all our spiritual 
privileges should pass in review, and be remem- 
bered, as his gifts; as these come to us, sinners, 
through virtue of his atoning death and mediation ; 
he having thereby purchased the prerogative, at a 
painful price, of bestowing blessings upon guilty 
men, who had forfeited them by sin. We should 
look back with the deepest emotions to the time, 
never to be forgotten, when he sought us out, and 
found us in a waste howling wilderness, in the de- 
vious paths of sin and folly, under condemnation, as 
transgressors of Jehovah's laws, and exposed to his 
wrath and curse; poor and miserable, wretched, 
blind and naked ; dead in trespasses and sins ; " hav- 
ing no hope, and without God in the world." 

And we should remember how he pitied us; 



324 the believer's 

and opened our eyes to a discovery of our lost and 
perishing condition, as sinners against God ; our ex- 
posure to endless death ; our need of an Almighty 
helper. We should remember how he, self-moved, 
drew us to himself ; melted our hearts into con- 
trition ; made us trophies of his grace ; inspired us 
with confidence in his ability to save ; enabled us to 
cast ourselves on his mercy, to rely upon his atoning 
merits ; and give our souls to him in covenant ; and 
then he gave us peace, and joy, and hope, thus 
drawing us from the horrible pit and miry clay, 
and filling our mouth with songs of praise. 

"We should, also, remember, with what patience 
he has home with our unbelief, unfaithftdness, re- 
missness, ingratitude, and departures from our first 
love, our conformity to the world, our covetous- 
ness, our reluctance to respond to his calls, our 
want of zeal in his service, and in aiding his cause, 
and our various provocations. And we should re- 
member how kindly he has healed our backslid- 
ings, pardoned our ingratitude, and all our offences, 
quickened our languid spirits, revived our droop- 
ing graces, heard our supplications, consoled us in 
afflictions, alleviated our sorrows, aided us in duty, 
invigorated our faith, cheered us with promises and 
immortal hopes, and given us grace and strength 
equal to our day. In short, we should remember 



REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 325 

all the way in which he has led us through this 
wilderness of temptations and trials, sins, sorrows 
and conflicts ; all that he has done for us, of his self- 
moving mercy and kindness, not only the -favors 
he has bestowed, but the chastisements and correc- 
tions with which he has visited us, and the object 
and design of them. We should frequently take a 
retrospect of these things; never forget them; write 
them upon the tablet of our memories. 

Such a retrospect, if faithfully pursued, has its 
uses. 

I. It serves to Jceep alive an affecting sense of the 
condescension and disinterested compassion and 
benevolence of the Saviour, That one of such infi- 
nite dignity, and glorious excellence and majesty,, 
as belong to Christ, should thus stoojp to regard 
creatures so mean, sinful, and ill-deserving ; that he ■ 
should condescend to preserve them ; to watch over • 
them ; to defend them ; to provide for them, and 
bestow upon them such constant care, such unre- 
mitting kindness, such countless benefits ; while 
they make him no suitable returns, but are disobe- 
dient, unthankful, unprofitable, and ill-deserving ; . 
especially that he should, of his self-moved compas- 
sion, come to them when dead in trespasses and 
sins, and exposed to merited destruction; and con- 
vince them of sin, bring them to repentance, renew 

22 



326 the believer's 

them to holiness, pardon and heal them, sanctify 
and save them ; and do all for them that we have 
noticed ; should subdue their obstinacy of will, 
overcome their unbelief, ingratitude, perverseness 
of heart, and all their resistance, and all the obsta- 
cles to their holiness and salvation ; shows conde- 
scension and mercy without a parallel ; disinterest- 
edness and benevolence, which are infinite. " God 
commendeth his love toward us, in that while we 
were yet sinners, Christ died for us." How surpass- 
ing comprehension, how condescending, self-moved, 
and disinterested his love, that we, self-ruined, ill- 
deserving sinners, should become, and be called the 
sons of God. " And it doth not yet appear what 
we shall be." " When Christ, who is our life, shall 
appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." 
Thus a remembrance of what Christ has done for 
us, of all the way which Christ has led us, these 
many years, could not fail to impress us, it would 
seem, with an affecting sense of the amazing conde- 
scension, and self-moved benevolence of the Son of 
God towards our guilty race. 

II. It would tend to awaken in %is a humbling 
sense of our own helplessness, ill-desert, and constant 
necessities, and of what we have already cost the 
Saviour. By proper retrospection as to what Christ 
has done for us, a faithful remembrance of all the 






REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 327 

way in which he has led us hitherto, we must be 
deeply impressed with the amazing expense which 
he has laid out upon us. 

What expense of condescension, what strength 
of compassionate regard, and what amount of mer- 
ciful care, watchfulness, and kindness have been ex- 
pended upon us, from our first existence to this 
hour! What an amount of power in upholding, 
protecting, and defending us ; in producing the 
means of support and comfort, and in maintaining 
that system of Providence by which our countless 
wants are duly supplied, and all the circumstances 
and events of our life arranged and allotted. What 
an overflowing of beneficence in bestowing and con- 
tinuing such great and invaluable privileges, and in 
strewing, all along our pathway, objects adapted to 
delight our senses, and to contribute essentially to our 
comfort and enjoyment, while we are on the earth. 
And what an amount of divine influence has been 
exerted in opening our blind eyes, and unstopping 
our deaf ears, subduing our obstinate wills, over- 
coming the love and dominion of sin, moulding the 
heart anew, restoring the divine image, producing 
faith, and all the Christian graces; and keeping 
alive and carrying forward the divine life in our 
souls. What energy of divine grace is requisite to 
counteract the downward tendency of nature, to en- 



328 the believer's 

able us to resist temptation successfully, to over- 
come the world, the flesh, the adversary, principali- 
ties and powers, and all our spiritual foes ; and to 
keep us, through faith and holiness, unto eternal 
life; to make us conquerors, and more than con- 
querors, over every opposing foe. 

And as yet we have hardly begun to contem- 
plate what we have cost the Saviour. We must 
contemplate the price at which he purchased the 
prerogative of bestowing pardon, and all this favor, 
and all this grace, upon the guilty and ill-deserving. 
We must go back far beyond the commencement of 
our own existence, and see the Son of God laying 
aside his heavenly glory, entering the world in hu- 
man flesh, taking the form of a servant ; and 
though possessed of infinite riches, yet becoming 
poor, that thereby he might bestow riches on us. 
What an amazing sacrifice. Contemplate his life of 
humiliation, privation, self-denial, and suffering on 
earth ! But who can conceive of the amount of suf- 
fering endured by him at Gethsemane and on Cal- 
vary ? It was to purchase redemption for us, to 
save our lives, that he gave his own. And now, 
have we cost the [Saviour so much I How hum- 
bling ; what helplessness and ruin were ours, that we 
should need to have so much done for us ; so much 
expense laid out upon us ? Without the shedding 



REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 329 

of his blood there could be no remission of our 
guilt. Verily, we are unprofitable servants. A 
vast amount has been expended upon us. A con- 
sideration of it is well adapted to humble us. How 
wonderful that so much should have been done and 
expended for creatures so unworthy ! Ah ! here is 
the solution of the mystery, the soul has worth. 
The divine Saviour knew its value. He saw what 
it must suffer endlessly, if lost ; and what it was 
capable of enjoying, if saved. Therefore, he volun- 
tarily paid the amazing price requisite for its ran- 
som. And in all the way he has led us hitherto, 
these many years, he has been prompted by the 
same pure, disinterested benevolence, and mercy. 

A remembrance of the way in which Christ has 
led us is of use, 

III. To give us some sense of our infinite indebt- 
edness to Mm. Can we duly remember and con- 
sider what Christ has done for us ; the vast expense 
he has laid out upon us, without having an oppres- 
sive, appalling sense of indebtedness and obligation 
to him ? Has he exchanged infinite riches for pov- 
erty, that he might raise us to glory and a crown ? 
Did he subject himself to unutterable agonies, and 
an ignominious death, to expiate human guilt, even 
our guilt ? Did he give himself for us that he 
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto 



330 

himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works ? 
And having obtained eternal redemption for all 
who obey him, by offering up himself a sacrifice to 
divine justice; and having thereby purchased the 
prerogative of showing mercy to sinners, has he 
ever since been laboring to carry into effect the 
great object of his atoning death, the redemption of 
lost men? Has this been his object and aim, all the 
way in which he has led us, these many years, in all 
the care he has bestowed, in all the mercy and 
kindness he has shown us, and in all the expense he 
has laid out upon us, what a debt of gratitude and 
love do we, individually, owe him! The inquiry 
may well be awakened in us : " What shall we 
render to the Lord for all his benefits toward us ? " 
How should our breasts continually swell and glow 
with the liveliest emotions of gratitude for what his 
wondrous mercy has wrought for us, and on our 
account. And what fervent love should we feel, 
and manifest, in return for his singular love. How 
ought we to abound in praise to him whose mercy 
to us has been so great % 

IV. Again, is not such a reminiscence of the 
way in which Christ has led us adapted to rouse 
and excite us to deny ourselves, and live and la- 
bor for him? Has he expended upon us such con- 
descension and love, so much care and power, be- 



REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 331 

neficence and mercy, benevolence, long suffering and 
grace ; done so much for us, and has he suffered so 
much to qualify himself for this work of mercy, to 
purchase the privilege of doing this for the guilty ; 
and will not a due consideration of this present the 
most powerful incentive to spend and be spent for 
Christ ; to co-operate with him, not only in effect- 
ing our own sanctification and salvation, but in 
efforts to extend his redemption, to carry into effect 
the object of his atoning death, to promote his 
honor and the advancement of his kingdom ? What 
more weighty motives can be found than are here 
presented, to constrain us to employ our time, tal- 
ents, influence, and worldly substance, nay, all we 
have and are, in promoting his cause, spreading his 
Gospel, and aiding to advance his kingdom on earth 
while we live. Has he done and suffered so much 
for us % Shall we, then, withhold any thing from 
him which it is in our power to render him in re- 
turn, which may contribute, in any degree, to his 
honor or praise, or to make him known, and extend 
his salvation to perishing souls ? 

Is it not, then, our reasonable duty; is it not 
sacredly incumbent on us frequently to take a re- 
trospect of the way in which Christ has led us, to 
remember all that he has done for us ; that we may 
feel the effects that such a reminiscence is adapted 



332 THE believer's REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 

to produce ; and be constrained to consecrate and 
devote ourselves to his service, and the advance- 
ment of his cause and honor; and that we may 
never want incentives to do whatever in us lies for 
him who has done so much for us ? 

And at what time is this retrospection more 
suitable and binding than at present, when we 
are seated at the sacramental table as his disci- 
ples, cheered with the hope of having been made 
partakers of grace, and of being interested in his 
redemption ; and especially when observing an ordi- 
nance instituted by himself for the very purpose of 
calling us to this retrospection, of awakening these 
reminiscences, lest we should forget what he has 
done for us ? " This do in remembrance of me." 
What are we to remember ? We are to remember 
who he is, and what he is ; what he has suffered and 
done to purchase redemption for us ; what he has 
done for us individually ; what we have cost him ; 
what he is still doing ; what we still need that he 
should do, and hope and expect that he will do, for 
us ; that we may be led suitably to praise him ; that 
our gratitude and love may be enkindled ; that we 
may see what we owe him, and be constrained to 
give and devote ourselves, as his property, to his 
service and glory, now and for ever. 



SERMON X. 

THE BLISS OF THE BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 

Psalm xvii. 15. 

I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. 

This is the language of a child of God, and language 
which none but a child of God can, with propriety, 
adopt or employ. And it shows that the Christian 
differs essentially in his character and prospects 
from all others. Natural men, making the world, 
and the things of it, the supreme good and chief 
portion of the soul, seem to desire nothing better. 
Their inquiry is, " Who will show us any good ? " 
But it is only earthly good that they seek. 

The views and feelings of the true child of God 
are essentially different. The things that are agree" 
able to the taste and feelings of the children of the 
world do not fill his eye, nor feast his soul. His eye 
and heart are fixed on a better good, which he 
hopes one day to inherit. The text teaches, that 



334 THE BLISS OF THE 

when the Christian awakes from the sleep of death, 
he finds his character perfected, and his happiness 
consummated. 

I. Christians, while in this mortal state, are not 
satisfied. They are satisfied with the law and gov- 
ernment of God, and with the method of salva- 
tion revealed in the Gospel. In these they desire 
no change. But with many things appertaining to 
their present condition they are not satisfied. An 
apostle says, in reference to believers while in this 
earthly tabernacle: "We groan, being burdened." 
It is obvious, from their longings, their pantings 
after God, after conformity to his will, after his pre- 
sence, and the light of his countenance, that, while 
here, they desire much which they find not. 

They are not satisfied with themselves, with ref- 
erence to their spiritual attainments, and the degree 
of their conformity to the will of God. They find 
in themselves numerous imperfections ; much re- 
maining strength of evil propensities and inclina- 
tions, which interrupt their spiritual progress ; much 
dulness of spirit, languor of feeling, weakness of 
faith, and want of zeal in the service of God ; much 
love of the creature, and conformity to the world. 
They find a proneness to neglect duty and to depart 
from God. Though they strive to walk in accord- 
ance with the directions of the Gospel, still they 



BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 335 

come so far short in the service they render to God, 
that they are not satisfied with their life. 

They are not satisfied with their bodies. These 
are marred by sin and the effects of sin : they are 
the seat of evil propensities and passions, which lurk 
and struggle for the ascendency. The body, more- 
over, they perceive to be frail, fading, and decaying, 
subject to disease, infirmity, pain, and death. It 
serves to clog the soul in its upward flight, and 
to chain it down to earth and sense. 

They are not satisfied with the course of this 
world. They cannot approve the maxims and prin- 
ciples by which men are governed, the ends at 
which they aim, and their treatment of God and 
their fellow-beings. The prevalence of fraud, rob- 
bery, intemperance, licentiousness, oppression, mur- 
der, infidelity, every form of error, and every spe- 
cies of vice, distresses them. 

When they look out upon this otherwise fair 
world, and see what havoc sin makes, what waste of 
human life it occasions, what untold w r retchedness it 
produces, their eye affects their hearts ; they are 
pained and burdened in view of the miseries of their 
fellow-men ; they desire other things, and exclaim : 
" O that the salvation of Israel were come out of 
Zion ! " Christians in this world are not indeed 
comfortless : they have much satisfaction in the ser- 



336 THE BLISS OF THE 

vice and worship of God, in communion with him, 
in walking in his ordinances and statutes, and in the 
experience of the light of his countenance. They 
derive great consolation from the Gospel. Their 
enjoyment rises far higher than that of the most 
favored of the children of this world; still they have 
much to distress them, and they have longings after 
that perfection of good, of which, at present, they 
have pleasing foretastes. 

But it is the will of God, concerning his chil- 
dren, that their utmost desires be filled ; and, inas- 
much as in their present state their perfect satisfac- 
tion is impossible, 

II. They are to he made the subjects of important 
changes. These changes come in good time, and 
through appropriate agencies. 

They are effected, in part, at the period of death. 
Christians are subject to death: they must die as 
well as others, though they die not like others. 
The death of Christians is represented as being but 
a sleep, or a falling asleep in Jesus. This is implied 
in the text : " I shall be satisfied when I awake with 
thy likeness." It is sleep from which men awake. 
The apostle teaches the same thing : " I would not 
have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them 
that sleep." Believers are removed from this im- 
perfect state, in which they experience and witness 



BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 837 

so much that is painful, by falling asleep. Death 
terminates this state of imperfection. Being united 
to Christ by faith and in love, they " die in the 
Lord." And while their bodies slumber in the 
ground, beneath their Saviour's power, and under 
his care, their souls go to be with him in the king- 
dom of his glory. 

Another change awaits believers, at the period 
of the resurrection of the dead. The happiness of 
Christians, even in heaven, however it may rise 
high, and be unmixed and uninterrupted, may be 
properly regarded as incomplete while their bodies 
are yet held under the power of the grave. The 
body is a part of the man. Christ has redeemed 
the bodies, as well as the souls, of his people. The 
soul must experience increased satisfaction from a 
reunion with the body, the companion of its former 
conflicts, sufferings, and joys; and such a reunion 
the power of Christ will effect. 

The sleep into which Christians fall at the ter- 
mination of this life, is not, as some hold death to 
be, an endless sleep. It respects only the body; 
and as to this, continues only till the end of the 
world, when there shall be the winding up of this 
earthly drama; these visible heavens shall pass 
away with a great noise, and the earth and the 
works that are therein shall be burnt up. It will 



338 THE BLISS OF THE 

continue till the second coming of Christ, to judge 
the world in righteousness, and decide the destinies 
of men for eternity. Then the dead will be raised 
from their graves, to slumber no more. " Marvel 
not at this ; for the hour is coming, in the which all 
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall 
come forth ; they that have done good, unto the res- 
urrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto 
the resurrection of damnation." " For the Lord 
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump 
of God ; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught 
up together with them in the clouds, to meet the 
Lord in the air ; and so shall we ever be with the 
Lord." 

At the appearing of Christ, then, Christians 
will awake from the sleep of death. And it is an 
animating truth, that they will awake in Christ's 
likeness. Kesembling him before in their souls, in 
the temper of their hearts, they will then be made 
to resemble him more especially in their bodies. 
Their bodies will not only be raised, but be reno- 
vated, purified, made spiritual bodies ; and they will 
be rendered incorruptible, imperishable, and beau- 
teous and glorious, as is the body of Christ. All 
this the Scriptures expressly teach. "Who shall 



BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 339 

change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like 
unto his glorious body, according to the working 
whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto 
himself." " Beloved, now are we the sons of God ; 
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but 
we know that when he shall appear, we shall be 
like him, for we shall see him as he is." 

III. When believers shall thus arise in the likeness 
of Christ, their bliss shall be consummated. 

" I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy like- 
ness." Kaised in the likeness of Christ, believers 
will be satisfied with their bodies. These will 
thenceforth be vigorous, free from languor, and pain, 
and defilement; without defect or blemish; subject 
never more to disease, decay, or death. They will 
cause no more shame, though amid the society of 
angels, and in the immediate presence of Christ. 
The glorified body of believers will be not only im- 
mortal, but glorious, a fit companion of the glorified 
spirit, and a seat and source of its essential happi- 
ness. Their bodies will be all that the saints can 
desire. 

• They will be satisfied with their souls, as their 
souls will be purified from all sin and defilement, all 
evil propensities, passions, desires, and motives ; 
from all sluggishness and dulness ; will be ever 
wakeful, vigorous, and active ; prepared to devote 



340 THE BLISS OF THE 

every power with delight to the service of God, and 
to the employments of heaven. The souls of be- 
lievers, in short, will be sanctified wholly : they will 
be perfectly conformed to Christ ; and this will 
satisfy them. 

They will be satisfied with the place of their 
dwelling, and with the objects with which they shall 
be surrounded. This abode must be glorious, and 
these objects mortals cannot describe. We know 
only that they must be grand beyond description, 
adapted to awaken admiration, and afford the 
greatest satisfaction. Among these objects, we are 
told, are the throne of God and of the Lamb, and 
the pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, 
on either side of which is the tree bearing twelve 
manner of fruits. If this and other language de- 
scriptive of heaven is figurative, it certainly indi- 
cates pleasing objects. It is further said of that 
world, that the curse is not there ; and there is no 
night there, and there is no need of the light of a 
candle, nor of the light of the sun ; for the Lord 
God giveth them light, and the Lamb is the light 
thereof; and his servants shall serve him. Be* 
lievers will be satisfied with their home. 

They will be satisfied with the society to which 
they shall be joined. They will be associated not 
only with the spirits of the just made perfect, the 



BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 341 

redeemed of the Lord, but with the numerous orders 
of angels, from the lowest to the highest — the no- 
blest of God's creatures, the bright armies of the 
skies. 

They will see God and the Lamb. God himself 
will be with them, and they shall behold his face in 
righteousness. This is that which satisfies the crea- 
ture, which is the saint's everlasting rest. None 
need aspire to higher felicity than is found in see- 
ing God, and dwelling in his immediate presence. 
They will be satisfied with God, his attributes, gov- 
ernment, and sovereignty, and with his past dis- 
pensations of providence and grace, and the deci- 
sions of the final judgment. They will be satisfied 
with the preciousness and the worthiness of the 
Lamb that was slain and has redeemed them to 
God by his blood. They will be satisfied when 
they shall, as it were, look into the heart of their 
Redeemer, and see there the love he bore to them 
from all eternity, and the love and good will he 
will bear to them for evermore. 

They will be satisfied with their employments, 
while devoting all their powers in serving, worship- 
ping, adoring, and praising God and Jesus Christ. 
They will never be weary while thus employed ; in 
such employment they will glory, and it will be un- 
speakably delightful, 
as 



342 THE BLISS OF THE 

Glorified believers will be satisfied aJso with 
their prospects. Assured that their happiness, so 
far from terminating or being diminished, will con- 
tinuously increase through the ceaseless ages of 
duration, as the hidden and deep things of Grod 
shall be unfolded to their view, they will desire 
nothing more ; their enjoyment will be perfect. 

Some practical remarks are naturally suggested 
by the subject. 

1. If Christians will be completely satisfied only 
when they shall have awaked with the likeness of 
Christ, then they should never seek to be satisfied 
with any thing short of conformity to him. This is 
the mark at which they should aim, and towards 
which they should be ever pressing while they are 
here on the earth. The beggarly elements of this 
world, riches, honor, and pleasure, which perish 
with the using, as they do not promote the holiness 
of the soul, do not meet its wants. And while in this 
state, Christians should not seek mainly the enjoy- 
ments of even religion. Thankful for what of com- 
fort they find in the path of duty, they should be 
anxious chiefly to be, and to do, what Christ requires. 
This world is not their rest, but a scene of toil ; let 
them, therefore, deny themselves for Christ, and ex- 
ert themselves to be holy, active, and useful rather 
than live merely for enjoyment. Let it be their care 



BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 343 

to toil and strive, be imitators of their Lord, and 
faithful to him, waiting for rest till their change 
shall come. 

2. We may learn what gives a fair prospect for 
futwre blessedness. It is not the mere hope of it, 
nor a mere profession of friendship to Christ. One 
may cherish hope, and profess to be a friend of 
Christ, and yet be a stranger to the spirit or mind 
that was in him. He who is not a disciple of 
Jesus, not being united to him, as he will not die 
in union with Christ, neither will he awake in his 
likeness. 

Let a man have evidence that the love of self, 
of sin, and of the world is mortified ; that he pos- 
sesses the graces of humility, meekness, gentleness, 
self-denial, zeal for God, forbearance, forgiveness, 
love for men, even for enemies : that he prizes the 
knowledge of Christ, and has in him the same mind 
that was in Christ ; and he may know that he has a 
prospect of a part in the bliss of heaven. Such an 
one is born again ; and as he shall die in the Lord, 
he will awake with his likeness, and be satisfied 
thenceforth. 

3. They can have no part in the bliss of heaven 
who shall not, in this life, resemble Christ in their 
spirit and character. It is not only unscriptural, 
but unreasonable, to speak or think of unbelievers, 



3i4 THE BLISS OF THE BELIEVER CONSUMMATED. 

unlike to Christ, as being in Christ, in such a sense 
that when they die, it can be said of them, that they 
die in the Lord. They are alienated from Christ ; 
they reject him and have no interest in him ; and 
hence when they die, Inspiration asserts, that they 
u die in their sins," and are " driven away in their 
wickedness." And death does not change charac- 
ter ; the grave cannot purify the soul. " He that is 
filthy, let him be filthy still." As men are at death 
they will be in eternity. The trump of God will 
call forth the bodies of the wicked from their 
graves ; still, it is declared, that they arise to " the 
resurrection of damnation." They will be separated 
from the righteous at the judgment, and be doomed 
to everlasting punishment, while the righteous shall 
be received to life eternal. 

The wicked, having not the spirit of Christ, not 
dying in him, will not awake with his likeness, and 
will not be satisfied. The sinner, dying such, at the 
resurrection will be far from being satisfied with 
his reflections, with his condition, or with his pros- 
pects. 



THE END. 









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Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: April 2006 

PreconiatinnTechnoloqies 




























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